30 Chat Abbreviations U Must Learn to Survive 2013's Pop Social Culture

It's chat time!.. and here are the most 

commonly 

used abbreviations to shorten text time and 

maximize 

chat time of todays pop social culture this 2013:

01 . gerd

gerd / ermahgerd - god / oh my god!

'gerd' is a short version of the stupidity expression 'ermahgerd!'. As a derogatory way of saying 'oh my god', 'gerd' is used to say 'I'm shocked' and 'that's so stupid' in four quick letters.

 02. hmu

HMU - Hit Me Up

This acronym is used to say "contact me", "text me", "phone me" or otherwise "reach me to follow up on this". It is a modern shorthand way to invite a person to communicate with you further.

03 . wut

wut - what

ALSO: wuteva - whatever

This abbreviation is guaranteed to anger English teachers.  By shortening 'what' into three letters, millennial youth save seconds of thumb typing time every day 

04. sup

SUP - What's Up

Sup is a common greeting.  You would open a conversation with friends using "sup", in the exact same way you would ask "how are you doing?"

05. idk

IDK - I Don't Know

IDK is a pretty straightforward expression:  you use IDK when you cannot offer an answer to someone's question. Like most of these messaging jargon terms, you would only use IDK for personal conversations or when there is a trusted work relationship established in advance.

06. wbu

WBU - What About You?

This expression is used in personal conversations where the two parties are well acquainted.  This expression is commonly used to ask for the other person's opinion, or to check for their comfort level with the situation.

07. idc

IDC - I Don't Care

You would use IDC when you are trying to make a decision with your messaging friend, and you are open to multiple options. While IDC is largely an emotion-less term, it can sometimes convey a negative attitude, so it is best to use this expression with friends and not new acquaintances.

08. wdymbt

WDYMBT - What Do You Mean By That?

This is a question of clarification, to ask someone to explain their last comment.

09. jk

JK - Just Kidding

Also: JJ - Just Joking

JK is used to complete the delivery of a joke, something especially important to do when the joke is a ribbing or a playful insult. 

10. meh

         Meh - "I feel mediocre about that"

Meh is an expression for mediocrity. If a movie is disappointing, if a restaurant is forgettable, or if the social event did not live up to expectations, people will comment "meh". 

11. uok

UOK - Are You OK?

'Are You OK?' is a question expressing concern.  This is meant for personal relationships where the parties are good friends, or at least cordial acquaintanaces at work.   

12. tbh

TBH - To Be Honest

This expression is used to say 'I am being extra candid by saying this' or 'I am going to admit a weakness or partial failure on my part by saying this'. 

13. gg ( gj) 

GG = Good Game

GJ = Good Job

GG and GJ are shorthand for saying 'good work', or 'congratulations to everyone, we achieved the result'. Some people will even say "gee gee" out loud in face-to-face conversations.

This expression was spawned by online gamers to thank their teammates after a match. In 2011, GG and GJ are very popular as daily expressions of gratitude and congratulations.

14. jtlyk

JTLYK - Just to Let You Know

JTLYK is used to preface information- sharing that could be uncomfortable, or could change previous arrangements for group activities.  Commonly, JTLYK means that the information is important, and conveying it is both critical and courteous.

 15. nvm

NVM - Never Mind

Also: NM - Never Mind

This acronym is used to say "please disregard my last question/comment", commonly because the user found the answer seconds after posting the original question. 

16. w/e (wuteva)

W/E - Whatever

Also: wuteva - Whatever

W/E is a dismissive term, often used as a rude way to diminish someone's comment.  It is a way of saying 'I'm not interested in arguing this point any more', or 'I disagree, but I don't care enough to make an issue of it.'

17. cya

CYA - See Ya  

Also: C U  - See You

Also: CUL8R  - See You Later

CYA and CU are 'goodbye for now' expressions, very similar to BBIAB or TTYL.  Use CYA when you need to end the conversation and go about your business.

While, you would not use this shorthand for professional email conversations, CYA is very common in personal text messaging and online chat.

18. DW / DS / DD / 

DH / DB 

          

               DW and DH are affectionate (and                     sometimes: sarcastic) terms for one's                 spouse. Decades ago, 'old lady' and               'old man' were common... today, we                  say more-affectionate versions of the                same in just two letters. This                            expression is used both in uppercase                or lowercase format when typed into                an email or instant message.

• DW (Dear Wife)
• DS (Dear Son)
• DD (Dear Daughter)
• DH (Dear Husband)
• DB (Dear Brother)

19. brb

BRB - Be Right Back

This is a sister expression to 'bio' and 'afk'.  BRB means that you need to leave the phone or computer for a few minutes, but will return quickly.  BRB is often combined with some kind of quick description of why you are stepping away:

20.  btw

BTW - By the Way

BTW is used to change converstion topics for the sake of information.  Exactly in the same manner as in face-to-face conversation, you would use btw to politely shift the online conversation towards some tidbit that you need to relay.

21. wb

WB - Welcome Back

This pleasant expression is common in online communities (e.g. MMO gaming), or in regular online conversations at people's work desks.  When a person types 'back' to announce their return to the computer/phone, the other party types 'WB' to greet the person.

22. np

NP - No Problem

NP is a jargon way to say "you're welcome", or to say "not to worry about that, everything is fine".  You can use NP right after someone thanks you in instant messaging.  You can also use NP when someone turns down your request or invitation, and you want to tell them that there are no hard feelings.

23. bio

BIO - Bio Break

Bio is a common term when you do realtime chat with regular friends.  Very similar to AFK (Away from Keyboard), the bio expression says that you are stepping away to go to the washroom, and will return very soon.

Bio is a regular expression used amongst online gamers.  When gaming sessions can often go for 2 or 3 hours at a time, it is natural for people to need to dash to the washroom.  Expect to see 'bio' if you get into online gaming and MMORPG culture.

24. asl

ASL = Question: Your Age / Sex / Location?

ASL is an abrupt question that is common in online chat environments. It is how regular users try to bluntly identify if you are a man or woman, and if you are in their age range.

A/S/L is often spelled as lowercase "a/s/l" or "asl" for ease of typing. The uppercase and lowercase versions mean the same thing.

There is significant subtext when someone asks you ASL.  Definitely read more about the implications of ASL here.

25. O RLY

O RLY - Oh, Really?

"O RLY", ("oh really") is a slang response to express sarcastic doubt, dismay, or incredulity to another online user. You would use this expression when someone else makes a questionable statement or false claim, and you wish to make a snarky response to their obvious mistruth.

26. imho (imo)

IMHO - In My Humble Opinion

Also: JMHO - Just My Humble Opinion

Also: IMO - In My Opinion

IMHO is used to demonstrate humility while simultaneously making a suggestion or posing an argument in online conversation. IMHO is also spelled in all lowercase as imho.

27. irl

IRL - In Real Life

Also: RL - Real Life

IRL is the expression for "in actual practice" or for referring to "one's life away from the computer/phone".  People commonly use this expression when they are making an argument for something, and want to claim that their suggestion is the most practically useful.  IRL is also a humorous way to refer to one's responsibilities and stressors away from the computer and telephone".

28. noob

Noob - Newcomer / Rookie / Amateur

Also: Nub    Also: Newb  Also: Noobie

"Newb" means "newbie/newcomer" or "amateur/rookie", a derogatory description for the new person in the group.  Newb is also spelled "Noob" (both rhyme with "tube"). There is the variation spelling "nub" (which rhymes with "tub"). All mean the same thing. 

29. sfsg

SFSG - So Far So Good

This is internet shorthand for saying "things are progressing successfully so far, but anything could happen". 

30. ttyl

TTYL - Talk to You Later

This is how you bid adieu and say 'I will converse with you in the future sometime'.  It is a polite way to say 'goodbye'.