... Recommend this page to a friend.

Gone are the days of the verbose valediction ... the long-lasting leave taking ... the *writer* ... the rhythms of letter writers like the founding father Benjamin Rush, witing to John Adams ... "Adieu. My dear old friend, and believe me to be with unabated respect and affection, yours truly, Benjamin Rush." ... And what do the literati say today? ... Now it's "C-Ya L8R" ... I'm not sure it says the same thing.

These terms (jargon) are used in online real-time typed conversation as a sort of short-hand form of communication ... I suppose some are more popular than others.

The shorthand refers to the acronyms created from the first letters of words and is useful for e-mail or for chat because it cuts down on typing time. I'd say when used sparingly, the jargon will show that you are an experienced e-writer.

This list covers the simple LOL (laughing out loud) to the rare but handy YWIA (you're welcome in advance). Some of these jargon acronyms are rude, and this list defines those, although without spelling out the commonly objectionable words.

! = Indicates, "I have a comment"
(((HUGS))) = Huggies
? = Indicates, "I have a question"
< arching brows > = Indicates the speaker arches eyebrows
< chuckle > = Indicates the speaker chuckles
< frown > = Indicates the speaker is frowning
< g > = indicates the speaker is grinning
< grin > = Indicates the speaker is grinning
< smile > = Indicates the speaker is smiling
< smirk > = Indicates the speaker is smirking
< wink > = Indicates the one speaker is winking
*poof* = Has Left The Chat
100 = Nature Calls/Pit Stop
12345 = Talk About School
20 = Location
404 = I have no clue (what you get when you enter a wrong URL)73 = Best Regards
88 = Love and Kisses
A/S/C = Age/Sex/Check
A/S/L? = Age/Sex/Location?
A/S/S/C = Age/Sex/State/Check
AAMOF = As A Matter Of Fact
ADN = Any Day Now
AFAIK = As Far As I Know
AFAIR = As Far As I Remember
AFJ = April Fool's Joke
AFK = Away From Keyboard
AFKB = Away From (the) Keyboard
AISI = As I See It
AKA = Also Known As
ALA = As Long As
AND = Any Day Now
ANFAWFOS = And Now For A Word From Our Sponsor
ASAFP = As Soon As F*cking Possible
ASAP = As Soon As Possible
ASSKOTL = A Slow Smoldering Kiss On The Lips
ATK = At the Keyboard
ATM = At The Moment
AWC = After While, Crocodile
AWGTHTGTATA = Are We Going To Have To Go Through ALL This Again?
AWGTHTGTTA= Are We Going To Have To Go Through This Again?
AYT = Are You There?
B/C = Because
B/F = Boy Friend
B4 = Before
B4N = Bye For Now
BAC = By Any Chance
BAK = Back At Keyboard
BAS = Big A** Smile
BBFN = Bye Bye For Now
BBIAF = Be Back In A Few (minutes)
BBL = Be Back Later
BBN = Bye Bye Now
BBS = Be Back Soon
BBSYBB = Be Back Soon, Ya Big Babboon
BCNU = Be Seeing You
BEG = Big Evil Grin
BF = Boyfriend
BFN = By For Now
BG = Big Grin
BIBO = Beer In, Beer Out
BK = Because
BL = Belly Laugh
BNF = Big Name Fan
BOT = Back On Topic
BOTN = Bite On The Nose
BRB = Be Right Back
BRBNC = Be Right Back, nature calls
BRBNM = Be Right Back Need Munchies
BTA = But Then Again
BTW = By The Way
BWL = Bursting With Laughter
BYE = Good Bye
BYE? = "Are you ready to say goodbye?" If so, the other person replies "BYE"
BYKT = But You Knew That
BYKTA = But You Knew That Already
BYOB = Bring Your Own Bottle
C&G = Chuckle and Grin
CICO = Coffee In, Coffee Out
CID = Crying In Disgrace
CMIIW = Correct Me If I'm Wrong
CNP = Continued (in my) Next Post
CP = Chat Post(a chat message)
CRBT = Crying Real Big Tears
CSG = Chuckle Snicker Grin
CU = See You
CUL= Catch You Later
CUL8R = See You Later
CUL8TER = See You Later
CULA = See You Later, Alligator
CUSYBB = See You Soon, Ya Big Baboon
CWYL = Chat With You Later
CYA = See You (Seeya)
CYAL8R = See You Later (Seeyalata)
CYL = Catch You Later
CYLA = Catch You Later, Alligator
DH = Darling, Dear, or Demented Husband (depending on his mood)
DIIK = Damned If I Know
DIKU? = Do I Know You?
DIL. = .Daughter In Law
DILLIGAF = Do I Look Like I Give A F***?
DK = Don't Know
DLG = Devilish Little Grin
DLTBBB = Don't Let The Bed Bugs Bite
DOM = Dirty Old Man
DOS = Dozing Off Soon
DTRT = Do The Right Thing
DW = Darling, Dear, or Dememted Wife (depending on her mood)
DWB = Don't Write Back
EG = Evil Grin
EMSG = Email Message
EOD = End Of Discussion
EOL = End Of Lecture
EOS = End Of Show
EOT = End Of Thread
ESAD = Eat Sh** And Die
F2F = Face to Face
FAAK... = Falling Asleep At Keyboard
FAQ = Frequently Asked Question(s)
FC = Fingers Crossed
FCFS = First Come, First Served
FIL.. = Father In Law
FITB = Fill In The Blank
FOAD = F*** Off and Die
FOAF = Friend Of A Friend
FOTCL = Falling Off The Chair Laughing
FOTTIYF = Flick Of The Tail In Your Face.
FS = For Sale
FTASB = Faster Than A Speeding Bullet
FTBOMH = From The Bottom Of My Heart
FUBAR = F***ED Up Beyond All Recognition
FUBAR = Fouled Up Beyond All Repair (or)
FUD = Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt
FWIW = For What It's Worth
FYA = For Your Amusement
FYI = For Your Information
G = Grin or Giggle
G/F = Girl Friend
GA = Go Ahead
GAL = Get A Life
GD&R = Grinning, Ducking and Running (After snide remark)
GD&WVVF = Grinning, Ducking, and Walking Very, Very Fast
GF = Girlfriend
GFE2E = Grinning From Ear To Ear
GFN = Gone For Now
GG = Good Game
GGP = Gotta Go Pee
GIWIST = Gee I Wish I'd Said That
GKOF = Gentle Kiss On The Forehead
GL = Good Luck
GMAB = Give Me A Break
GMBO = Giggling My Butt Off
GMTA = Great Minds Think Alike
GOK = G-d Only Knows
GR8 = Great
GTSY = Glad To See You
H&K = Hug and Kiss
HABU = Have A Better 'Un HABU = Have A Better 'Un
HAGN = Have A Good Night
HAGU = Have A Good 'Un
HAND = Have A Nice Day
HH = Huba huba
HHIS = Hanging Head in Shame
HHO 1/2 K = Ha Ha Only Half Kidding
HHOJ = Ha Ha Only Joking
HHOK = Ha Ha Only Kidding
HHOS = Ha Ha Only Serious
HIG = How's It Going
HLOL = Hysterically Laughing Out Loud
HLOLARAWCH ...Hysterically Laughing Out Loud And Rolling Around While Clapping Hands
HOYEW = Hanging On Your Every Word
HT = Hi There
HTH = Hope this Helps
HUA = Heads Up Asses
HUB = Head Up Butt
IAC = In Any Case
IAE = In Any Event
IANAL - I Am Not A Lawyer (But...) A disclaimer which is usually followed by a legal opinion
IAW = In Accordance With
IC = I See
ICCL = I Could't Care Less
IDK = I Don't Know/ I Didn't Know
IGP = I Gotta Pee
IHTFP = I Have Truly Found Paradise (or: I hate this f***** place)
IIRC = If I Recall Correctly
IITYWIMWYBMAD = If I Tell You What This Means Will You Buy Me A Drink?
IITYWTMWYKM = If I Tell You What This Means Will You Kiss Me?
IJWTK = I Just Want To Know
IJWTS = I Just Want To Say
IKWUM = I Know What You Mean
ILSHIBAMF = I Laughed So Hard I Broke All My Furniture
IMA = I Might Add
IMAO = In My Arrogant Opinion
IMCO = In My Considered Opinion
IME = In My Experience
IMHO = In My Humble Opinion
IMNSHO = In My Not So Humble Opinion
IMO = In My Opinion
IMS = I'm Sorry
INPO = In No Particular Order
IOW = In Other Words
IRL = In Real Life
ISRN = I'll Stop Rambling Now
ISS = I'm So Sure
ISSYGTI = I'm So Sure You Get The Idea
ISWIM = If (you) See What I Mean
ITA = I Totally Agree
ITIGBS = I Think I'm Gonna Be Sick
ITRW = In The Real World
IWALU = I Will Always Love You
IWBNI = It Would Be Nice If
IYFEG = Insert Your Favorite Ethnic Group (for ethnic jokes)
IYKWIM = If You Know What I Mean
IYKWIMAITYD = If You Know What I Mean And I Think You Do
IYSWIM = If You See What I Mean
J/K = Just Kidding
J4G = Just For Grins
JAM = Just A Minute
JIC = Just In Case
JK = Just Kidding
JM2C = Just My 2 Cents
JMS = Just Making Sure
JMO = Just My Opinion
JTLYK = Just To Let You Know
K = Okay
KIBO = Knowledge In, Bullsh** Out
KISS = Keep It Simple Stupid
KIT = Keep In Touch
KOC = Kiss On Cheek
KOL = Kiss On Lips
KOTC = Kiss On The Cheek
KOTL = Kiss On The Lips
KOW = Knock On Wood
KWIM = Know What I Mean?
KYFC = Keep Your Fingers Crossed
L = Laugh
L8R = Later
L8RG8R = Later 'Gator
LHM = L-rd Help Me
LHO = Laughing Head Off
LHU = L-rd Help Us
LJBF = Let's Just Be Friends
LLTA = Lots and Lots of Thunderous Applause
LMAO = Laughing My A** Off
LML = Licking My Lips
LMLBBO = Laughing My Little Bitty Butt Off
LMSO = Laughing My Socks Off
LOL = Laughing Out Loud
LOL2 = Lots of Laughs, too
LOLOL = Laughing Out Loud On Line
LSHMBA = Laughing So Hard My Belly Aches
LSHMBB = Laughing So Hard My Belly is Bouncing
LSHMSH = Laughing So Hard My Side Hurts
LSHTTARDML = Laughing So Hard The Tears Are Running Down My Leg
LTHTT = Laughing Too Hard To Type
LTIP = Laughing Till I Puke
LTMSH = Laughing Till My Sides Hurt
LTNS = Long Time No See
LTS = Laughing To Self
LUVYA = Love Ya (you)
LUWAMH = Love You With All My Heart
LY = Love Ya
LY4E = Love You Forever
MORF = Male or Female ?
MOTAS = Member Of The Appropriate Sex
MOTD = Message of the day
MOTOS = Member Of The Opposite Sex
MOTSS = Member Of The Same Sex
MTF = More To Follow
MUD = Multiple User Dimension
MYOB = Mind Your Own Business
NADT = Not A Darn Thing
NFW = No F***** Way
NH = Nice Hand
NHOH = Never Heard Of Him/Her
NPLU = Not People Like Us
NRN = No Reply Necessary
O = Over (completion of communication)
OATUS = On A Totally Unrelated Subject
OAUS = On An Unrelated Subject
Ob = Obligatory
OBO = Or Best Offer
OBTW = Oh, By The Way
OIC = Oh, I See
OK = Abbreviation Of "Oll Korrect", Alteration Of "All Correct"
OL = Old Lady (significant other)
OL = Out of Luck
OM = Old Man (significant other)
ONNA = Oh No, Not Again
ONNTA = Oh No, Not This Again
OO = Over and Out (end of communication)
OTF = On The Floor (laughing)
OTFL = On the Floor Laughing
OTOH = On The Other Hand
OTOOH = On The Other Other Hand
OTT = Over The Top; too much
OTTOMH = Off The Top of My Head
OWTTE = Or Words To That Effect
PAW = Parents Are Watching PC/PVT/MSG = Private Chat/Messaging
PD = Public Domain
PDS = Please Don't Shoot
PF&HOMW = Printed, Framed & Hanging On My Wall
PITA = Pain In The A**
PLUR = Peace Love Unity Respect
PM = Private Message
PMF = Pardon My French
PMFBI = Pardon Me For Butting In
PMFJI = Pardon Me For Jumping In (one polite way to get into a running discussion)
PMJI = Pardon My Jumping In (another polite way to get into a running discussion)
PMP = Peed My Pants
PNCAH = Please, No Cursing Allowed Here
POAHF = Put On A Happy Face
POTB = Pinch On The Butt
POTT = Pull On The Tail
POV = Point Of View
PPL = People
PPP = Petty Pet Peeve
PS = Post Script
PTMM = Please Tell Me More
PTSS = Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome
QT = Cutie
R U THERE? = Are you there?
RL = Real Life
RMS = Read the Manual, Sir [from the military]
ROFL = Rolling on Floor Laughing
ROFLAPMP = ROFL And Peeing My Pants
ROFLMAO = ROFL My A** Off
ROFLMAOAY = ROFLMAO At You
ROFLMAOPMP = ROFLMAO Peeing My Pants
ROFLMAOWTIME = ROFLMAO With Tears In My Eyes
ROFLUTS = ROFL Unable to Speak
ROTF = Rolling On The Floor
ROTFL = Rolling On The Floor Laughing
ROTFLASTC = ROTFL And Scaring The Cat
ROTFLGO = ROTFL Laughing Guts Out
ROTFLMAO = ROFL Laughing My A** Off
ROTFLMAO = Rolling On The Floor Laughing My A** Off
ROTFLMAOAPMP = ROTFLMAO and Peeing My Pants
ROTFLMAOAPMP = ROTFL & Peeing My Pants
ROTFLMAOPIMP = ROFLMAO Peeing In My Pants
ROTFLMAOSHISTC = ROFLMAO So Hard I Scared The Cat
ROTFLMAOTIP = ROFLMAO 'Till I Pee
ROTFLMAOWAV = ROFLMAO With A Vengeance
ROTFLOL = ROTFL Out Loud
ROTFSMCIIHO = ROTF Scaring My Cat if I Had One
ROTFWTIME = ROTF With Tears In My Eyes
RSN = Real Soon Now
RSVP = Respondez S'il Vous Plait - French for "please reply"; often found on invitations.
RT = Real Time
RTBM = Read The Bloody Manual
RTFAQ = Read The Frequently Asked Questions
RTFM = Read The F***** Manual (or other F word of choice) - A gentle suggestion to users who ask questions they could have answered themselves with a little research
RTI = Real Time Interruption
RTM = Read The Manual
RYFM = Read Your Friendly Manual
S = Smile
S^ = S'UP - What's Up?
SEC = Wait a second
SEG = Sexy Evil Grin
SETE = Smiling Ear To Ear
SHID = Slaps Head In Disgust
SICS = Sitting In Chair Snickering
SIL = Son In Law or (SoIL), Sister In Law or (SiIL)
SITD = Still In The Dark
SKOTC = Soft Kiss On The Cheek
SNAFU = Situation Normal: All Fouled Up (or other F word of choice)
SNERT = Snot-Nosed Egotistical Rude Teenager
SO = Significant Other
SOHF = Sense Of Humor Failure
SOI = Stinks On Ice
SOL = Sh** Out Of Luck
SOS = Help
SOT = Short Of Time
SOTMG = Short Of Time Must Go
SPAM = Stupid Persons' AdvertiseMent
SS = So Sorry
SSK = Soft Sweet Kiss
STDLTBBB = Sleep Tight Don't Let The Bed Bugs Bite
SWAG = Scientific Wild-A** Guess
SWAK = Sealed With A Kiss
SWALK = Sealed With A Loving Kiss
SWAS = Scientific Wild A** Guess
SWIM = See What I Mean?
SWL = Screaming with Laughter
SYS = See You Soon
SYSYBB = See You Soon Ya Big Baboon
SYT = Sweet Young Thing
TA = Thanks Again
TAFN = That's All For Now
TANJ = There Ain't No Justice
TANSTAAFL = There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch
TBD OOTD = To Be Done, One Of These Days
TCOY = Take Care Of Yourself
TFTK = Thanks For The Kiss
TGAL = Think Globally, Act Locally
TGIF = Thank G-d It's Friday
THX = Thanks
TIA = Thanks In Advance
TIC = Tongue In Cheek
TIFN = That's It For Now
TILII = Tell It Like It Is
TINWIS = That Is Not What I Said
TMK = To My Knowledge
TNSTAAFL = There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch
TNT = Till Next Time
TNTL = Trying Not To Laugh
TNX = Thanks
TNXE6 = Thanks A Million ("E6" means 10 to the 6th power = a million)
TOY = Thinking Of You
TPTB = The Powers That Be
TTBOMK = To The Best Of My Knowledge
TTFN = Ta Ta For Now
TTKSF = Trying To Keep a Straight Face
TTYL = Talk To You Later
TTYS = Talk To You Soon
TTYSYBB = Talk To You Soon, Ya Big Babboon
TWIMC = Whom It May Concern
TYVM = Thank You Very Much
UFO = Un-Finished Object (a started project not yet done)
UOK = Are You OK?
UPGS = Unfinished Project Guilt Syndrome
VBG = Very Big Grin
VBS = Very Big Smile
VDH = Very Dear Husband (see also DH)
VDW = Very Dear Wife (see also DW)
W = Wink
W/ = With
W/O = Without
W8AM = Wait A Minute
W8AS = Wait A Second
WAS = Wild A** Guess
WB = Welcome Back
WBS = Write Back Soon
WBSYBB = Write Back Soon, Ya Big Baboon
WDYMBT = What Do You Mean By That?
WDYT = What Do You Think?
WEG = Wicked Evil Grin
WGAS= Who Gives A S***
WIBNI = Wouldn't It Be Nice If
WMMOWS = Wash My Mouth Out With Soap
WMP = Wetting My Pants
WPYS = Who Pulled Your String
WRT = With Respect/Regard To
WTB = Want To Buy
WTF = What The F***
WTG = Way To Go
WTGP = Want To Go Private?
WTH = What/Who The Heck/Hell (or sub an 'F' for the 'H')
WYGISWYPF = What You Get Is What You Pay For
WYLABOCTGWTR = Would You Like A Bowl Of Cream To Go With That Remark?
WYLASOMWTC = Would You Like A Saucer Of Milk With That Comment?
WYSIWYG = What You See Is What You Get
XOXOXO = Kisses and Hugs
YABA = Yet Another Bloody Acronym
YAOTM = Yet Another Off-Topic Message
YBS = You'll Be Sorry
YCGB = You Can't Get Better
YG = Young Gentleman
YGTI = You Get The Idea?
YGWYPF = You Get What You Pay For
YIU = Yes, I Understand
YIWGP = Yes, I Will Go Private
YL = Young Lady
YM = Young Man
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary (You may not have the same luck I did)
YW = You're Welcome
YWIA = You're Welcome In Advance

I think we can safely say that the younger generation that grew up with cell phones and instant messaging makes different types of errors in standard English than the parents or grandparents.

However, all this begs a rather interesting question. What is proper spelling when writing? Personally I'm a stickler for what today is called traditional spelling; I even find the Aussie deviations objectionable (though "down under" it is perfectly all right). Some believe that abbreviated semi-codes that are common in instant messaging must serve some purpose. I think it is only an invitation to sloppy writing and can lead to nothing good.

Problem is that if the purpose is valid and enough people use some of the various shorthand cuts ("4" for "for" or "u" for "you" or "r" for "are" and "cya l8r" for "see you later"), then they will become mainstream. Their justification is that proper spelling as we think of it is a rather recent invention. Shakespeare was no slouch at using English, but he spelled his own name several different ways.

If I were writing daily memos to colleagues in a large corporation and wanted to blend in, then I would submit to having my timeless prose turned into the equivalent of fast food (TG I'm not in corporate life now). Still, in both spelling and style, some types of errors are just plain wrong. They are the result of not doing the job correctly. Perhaps seniors and their younger correspondents define "doing the job correctly" differently. That's okay, but come the crunch, writing is about communication, and if your errors, or deliberate deviations, impede transfer of information, then they are wrong.

And making decision reminds me of a story of the woman who had a job in a factory where handkerchiefs were manufactured ... Her job was to fold the handkerchiefs before being boxed ... Now it is done by machinery ... it doesn't matter ... she was asked how she likes the job ... So she answers that it's difficult because she has to make decisions all the time, but it's interesting ... When asked to explain, she says:

"Look, sometimes I start folding the upper left hand corner, sometimes the right hand corner, and sometimes on bottom corners - Decisions, decisions, decisions."

It's a simple story, but as I tell it, I see implications here for job happiness. We don't have to be "world shakers" to be happy on a job. We just have to look for opportunities to make our work interesting ... it's there ... What's your opinion?