Common English abbreviations used in everyday communication

Abbreviations and acronyms

Such a difficult word – abbreviation – describes, ironically, a shortened and easy-to-type form of a word, which is widely used in everyday communication, especially in texting, online chats and social media. It seems that in these areas we gradually resign from using words and proper punctuation, replacing them with these strange clusters of letters and, obviously, emoticons. Like it or not, you really should know what these common abbreviations and acronyms mean.

Here are some easiest to decipher and internationally recognized abbreviations or acronyms*:

  • OMG – oh my God
  • THX – thanks
  • BTW – by the way
  • GR8 – great
  • CUL8R – see you later
  • IDK – I don’t know
  • JK – just kidding
  • JJ – just joking
  • BRB – be right back
  • ASAP – as soon as possible
  • PLS – please
  • LOL – laughing out loud
  • ROTFL – rolling on the floor, laughing
  • XOXO – kisses (this one is actually borrowed from traditional, “snail” mail, that is postcards and letters – who remembers those?)
  • SUP – what’s up?
  • HMU – hit me up (contact me to follow up on this)
  • PROPS – proper respect and acknowledgement (also used in speaking, showing admiration)
  • WBU – what about you

 

So, WBU? Which abbrs do U use?

* acronym – a type of abbreviation consisting of the first letters of each word in the name of something, pronounced as a word, e.g. NATO, asap.