You may know English very well, speak it confidently, and even write essays. But in chats with friends or comments on Reddit, you may find yourself in a complete mess. Too many strange letter combinations: LOL, BRB, TL;DR . What do they mean? And why does everyone use them?
The thing is that messaging in messengers and social networks is a separate style of language. It is “fast” and often full of abbreviations. To feel confident, it is important to know such abbreviations. Here are the most popular ones.
1. BRB — be right back
- I’ll be back soon
A very popular acronym to use when you’re temporarily away from the screen but planning to return. Often written in lowercase: brb.
I need to grab some coffee, BRB! — I need to go get some coffee, I’ll be right back!
2. AFK — away from keyboard
- Not at the computer
This abbreviation is similar to BRB – if you want to leave, just scribble these three letters to your interlocutor. This way you will let him know that you will return soon. Literally, the phrase away from keyboard is translated as “not at the keyboard”.
I ‘ll be AFK for an hour, need to take care of some errands.
3. Tbh — to be honest
- Honestly…
Use it when you want to express your opinion or admit something. For example, like this:
Tbh, I think that movie was overrated. — Honestly, I think that movie was overrated.
4. IDK — I don’t know
- Don’t know
A very handy abbreviation – useful when you need to answer that you don’t know something.
— Do you know when the meeting starts?
– IDK, sorry .
5. LOL — laugh out loud
- I’m laughing out loud / I can’t stop laughing
If you share a funny joke with a friend in a chat, they might respond with LOL.
— Why don’t skeletons fight each other? They don’t have the guts !
— LOL ! I can’t stop laughing!
By the way, this joke is based on an untranslatable play on words. In English, the expression to have the guts means “to have courage” or “to be brave enough.” But at the same time, guts literally translates as “entrails” or “guts.” It turns out to be a double meaning: skeletons can’t fight because they physically don’t have entrails (no guts), and they’re also just afraid (no “courage”). This play on words gets lost in translation, but it’s what makes the joke funny to English speakers.
6. TTYL — talk to you later
- Let’s talk later
Imagine you’re texting a friend and the conversation is ending, but you promise to talk again later. That’s where this abbreviation comes in handy.
– I’ve gotta head out. TTYL ! – I have to go. Talk to you later!
– Alright, take care!
7. G2G — got to go
- We have to go
Another abbreviation that is used when you need to end a conversation for some reason.
G2G, my meeting is about to start. I’ll text you later.
8. BTW — by the way
- By the way
Use this phrase in your correspondence when you need to add an important detail that you forgot to mention earlier.
I finally booked the tickets for the concert! BTW, it starts at 8 PM .
9. LMK — let me know
- Let me know
This abbreviation is useful when you want to ask someone to tell you some information or clarify details.
I’m free this weekend, we should hang out! LMK when you’re free! — I’m free this weekend, let’s hang out! Let me know when you’re free!
10. FYI – for your information
- For your information
This abbreviation is used to share information that may be useful to the interlocutor, but does not require immediate discussion.
— FYI , the meeting has been moved to 10 AM tomorrow.
— Thanks for letting me know !
11. OMG – Oh My God
- Oh my god! / Wow!
This abbreviation will help express surprise, shock or admiration.
— I just got promoted !
– OMG , that ‘s amazing !
12. IRL — in real life
- In real life
The abbreviation helps to separate online communication from what happens in reality. It is often used to clarify context.
He seems so confident online , but IRL he’s very shy.
13. JK — just kidding
- Just kidding
If you’ve made a joke or said something humorous, but want to make sure the other person understood you, use JK.
– I ‘ve stolen your snack!
– What?! Why did you do that ?
– JK, relax, it’s still in the fridge.
14. TL;DR – too long; didn’t read
- Too long, didn’t read it
This abbreviation will indicate that the text is too long and difficult to read in its entirety.
— Did you check out that article I sent you? It’s about the history of video games.
— TL;DR. — Too long, didn’t read it.
– Oh come on, it’s actually pretty interesting !
– Alright, maybe later .
15. NVM — nevermind
- Never mind / Forget it
Media use NVM when they want to indicate that a situation is no longer relevant or that a response is no longer needed.
— Hey , can you send me the homework from yesterday?
— Uh, I think it was on page 45, but let me double-check it when I get back home .
– NVM, I found it. Thx tho! – Never mind, I already found it. Thanks anyway!