Informal abbreviations in English: anything goes if understood

In the area of ​​informal communication (with friends, on social networks, etc.) there is much more flexibility. The use of the internet and mobile devices has given rise to a whole universe of abbreviations, in many cases devised in the first chats or forums in which words had to be saved due to the slow loading speeds of the pages. Some of these expressions have become popular and are widely known, others are only used in specific contexts. In the following video, you can see examples of the most used informal abbreviations in English and below it you will find a selection of the most popular expressions in personal communication.


C&P (copy and paste): refers to the popular "cut and paste" command of computer programs.

CU (see you): an informal way of saying "see you later" in a WhatsApp, tweet or short message.

EOD (end of discussion): end of the discussion, to sharply settle an exchange of messages.

GIYF (Google is your friend): short for "Google is your friend", that is, Google it instead of asking.

HF (have fun): have fun, a way to save five letters to wish someone have fun.

IDK (I don't know): I don't know, although it may be the recipient who doesn't know what you mean.

ILU / ILY(I Love You): means "I love you." You can also use IMU (I Miss You), "I miss you."

IOW (in other words): in other words, to clarify or explain something you have said and it is not understood.

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J / K (just kidding): it was a joke, it is used to imply that what you said before was not serious.

LOL (laugh out loud): I laugh out loud, it is used when something is funny (or also ironic).

LMAO (laughing my ass off): a more rude variant of the above, which means "I break my c ... laughing").

MTFBWY (may the force be with you): may the force be with you, an abbreviation only suitable for Star Wars fans.

MYOB(mind your own business): literally, "take care of your business" or do not go where you are not called.

NOOB (new on business): means "new in business", to refer to a newbie or beginner.

Be careful when using this expression with people you do not know very well, because it can be offensive.

NP (no problem): no problem, to confirm when something is OK or you don't care.

OT (off-topic): off-topic, to indicate that something is not relevant or is not related to the topic.

OMG (Oh my God): Oh my God, it is used to say that something is surprising.

You can also use the rudest WTF (what the fuck, what the hell).

PLS(please): Informal abbreviation for "please", to be used in personal messages and emails.

SFLR (sorry for the late reply): to say that you are sorry for being late in replying to a message.

TBC (to be continued): will continue, when a conversation or an issue is not completely closed.

It can also be used at the end of a page to indicate that the document continues on the next.

THX (thank you): short for "thank you", to end a message laconically.

TMI (too much information): too much information, when someone gives personal details or that you do not want to know.

TTYL (talk to you later): we talk later if a conversation is taking too long.

TYT(take your time): take your time, it means that no urgent response is required.

YMMD (you made my day): it means that "you have made my day happy" for good news or similar.

XOXO (hugs and kisses): this expression is used to send kisses and hugs, although in Spanish it sounds strange.

So far we've looked at some of the most commonly used English abbreviations in emails, text messages, and social media. However, the rise of mobile devices has caused some users, especially young people, to seek more extreme ways to save themselves from typing a few letters. It's no longer about abbreviations, acronyms, or acronyms, but rather imaginative ways to represent words or even entire phrases in the minimum number of characters.