Internet Slang

If you look at blog posts, online forums, or the comment section underneath a YouTube video, you might find that they are full of abbreviations and words that just look weird. Indeed, the Internet has a language of its own, and it might significantly differ from the standard English you are used to.

As communication on the Internet is usually very personal, casual, and informal, there are many slang words. Some are abbreviations that were created to save time and space, such as BRB (be right back) and LMK (let me know). Some others are words that don’t make a lot of sense outside of the Internet.

For example, Twitter has its own terminology and words like hashtag and retweeting can be considered Internet slang. Generally, while on an online forum or social media, you can come across memes, trolls, lurkers, noobs, and lags. To make the time you spend on the Internet less confusing, you should know what the most common Internet slang words stand for.

Types of Internet Slang Terms

There are multiple types of slang terms that are being used online today. Here’s a list of the most widely used type of internet slang together with a few examples.

Letter Homophones

It is one of the most common types of internet slang which is normally composed of a group of letters taken from the initial components of the words of the phrase.

Examples: the letter c for the word “see,” u for the word “you.”

Learn more: Homophones

Onomatopoeia

It is another popular type of slang that involves the formation of words with its associated sound.

Examples: Hahaha and Woof Woof

Explore more: Onomatopoeia

Punctuation

This type is a widely used slang that involves the usage of the marks, such as question marks, exclamation points, or sometimes periods in conveying a message.

Examples: ???? or !!!!

Related: Punctuation

Heterography

It makes use of a spelling that is different from standard usage which usually comprises a combination of numbers and letters.

Examples: 2day or 2moro

Emojis

Probably one of the most convenient types of internet slang because by the use of expressions or objects, one can convey an idea, impression, or feeling.

Example: A smiley or A sad face

Leetspeak

This involves modification of spellings to form a shortened but readable characters.

Example: “pwned” and “w00t”

Direct Request

This type of slang is used to make an appeal to identify one’s identity which is commonly used in chat engines or online games where a person’s identification is usually hidden or unknown.

Example: ASL (age, sex, and location)

Interjection

Interjections are used as slang words to express emotion, reaction, or excitement.

Examples: ya (yeah), yeet (yes), yah (yes), mhm (yes)

Portmanteau

This type of slang is made up of two existing words in order to create a new sound.

Examples: malding, mansplaining

Jargon

Jargon is a type of internet slang that involves the usage of words or phrases that has a specific meaning in a particular profession or industry.

Example: Cookies – in programming, it is a packet of data from a server to a browser.

Internet Acronyms

Internet acronyms are formed by taking out the first letter of each word in a phrase. These acronyms are most often pronounced as words, as in YOLO or LOL. It can also be pronounced as individual letters, like TGIF or FAQ. Or it can also be a mixture of the two, as in JPEG or JFIF.

Examples:

• YOLO

YOLO is an internet slang that was popularized in 2012. It is the modern equivalent of the Latin aphorism “carpe diem” which means “seize the day.” The internet acronym stands for “you only live once.” It is a statement formed out of the firm conviction that tomorrow is never promised. YOLO can also be an appeal or demand for someone to live life to the fullest or to take risks for we only live now.

• LOL

LOL is one of the most common internet slang used to express laughter or to convey amusement. It stands for “laughing out loud” and is an extremely popular internet acronym that a few variations were created from it. These variants include LOLZ and ROFLMAO. LOL is a slang utilized every day since it was coined and had been embedded in the online subculture. It has become an important part of life for people online to effectively communicate especially in jovial conversations.

Texting Abbreviations

Texting abbreviations are the shortened forms of words created and utilized to convey a quicker reaction or response. Internet slang are also used in text messaging so it is common to see internet acronyms, leets, and more of its types in text messages.

Examples:

• OMG

The popular online expression stands for “Oh my God!” and is used to express surprise, shock, or excitement.

• ROFL

This internet slang was coined when LOL became too mainstream. ROFL stand for “rolling on the ground of laughter.”

• FTW

Originated from Hollywood Squares, FTW stands for “for the win” and is commonly used to create optimism, especially in challenging situations.

• B/C

It is a common text abbreviation that means “because.”

• 121

It is an abbreviation usually used in chat rooms and in group messaging. 121 means “One-to-One” and is a request to initiate a private conversation outside of the group.

• 2day

The acronym represents one of the World’s largest and reliable shorthand words via the internet and mobile devices. 2day is a shortened form of the word “today.”

• 2M2H

It means “too much to handle” and is used to express pressure from a very demanding situation or circumstances.

• 2moro

It is yet another common shortened word that means “tomorrow.”

Examples of Internet Slang Words from Different Origins

(1) From Gamers

• Poggers

It is one of the common emoji or meme used particularly in gaming sites. Poggers is usually portrayed in the form of a frog and is used to convey excitement or shock.

• Farmed

The gaming slang refers to a swiftly defeated enemy with points and valuable materials amassed over a short period of time.

• Noob

It is a term that refers to an inexperienced new player of a game.

• Marinating

The term refers to an act trickery to gain the other player’s trust and confidence.

(2) From Japan

• Nani

It was in 2017 when this meme was made popular by the Japanese manga series “Fist of the North Star.” Nani in English means “what.”

• Senpai

A Japanese slang that refers to a person, especially a girl that you admire. It is a term specifically used if you aim to get that person’s attention.

• Anon

It is used to refer to a person with unknown identity.

• 555

It is a Japanese slang that means “Go! Go! Go” in English.

• W

This single letter is the Japanese equivalent of LOL.

(3) From China

• Sifu

It is a respectful form of address for a skillful master who teaches techniques, especially in material arts.

• Duang

The slang was popularized by Jackie Chan in a shampoo commercial. Duang refers to a sudden and accidental fall.

• 666

This popular Chinese slang means awesome or excellent.

• TMD

It is a slang used to express extreme annoyance in a profane manner.