With the rise in the use of mobile phones and social networking sites, we all need to be aware of texting shortcuts. More and more people are using symbols in order to communicate with other people. This article is all about some of the commonly used shortcuts.
Many people use symbols and abbreviations in order to communicate with their friends. Although many people are aware of these symbols, there are many who are completely clueless as well. Such people might find it very difficult to decode every SMS that they get from their friends, and this might make them feel like Robert Langdon from The Da Vinci Code. Not to mention, they might be touted as ignorant fools, who don’t seem to be unaware of such simple things. So, for all such people who are the butt of jokes for not being able to follow some of the SMS language, here are some of the simple texting shortcuts, which will help you the next time you message someone or receive one from them.
Words and Symbols
If you are new at using shortcuts while texting, then here are some common abbreviations, which will help you to be an expert in sending messages. These symbols will not only help you while sending messages via phone, but also while chatting on Facebook or MySpace.
| Abbreviations | Meaning |
| HIG | How’s it going |
| AFAGAY | A friend as good as you |
| 2g4u | too good for you |
| 4yeo | for your eyes only |
| AAM | as a matter of fact |
| ADctd2uv | addicted to love |
| ASAP | as soon as possible |
| LBAY | Laughing back at you |
| UGTBK | You’ve got to be kidding |
| SLAP | Sounds like a plan |
| BFAW | Best friend at work |
| KYFC | Keep your fingers crossed |
| LMK | let me know |
| UOK | you okay? |
| W84M | wait for me |
| ONNA | oh no, not again! |
| AFAIK | As far as I know |
| BBL | Be back later |
| BIBO | Beer in, beer out |
| BRB | Be right back |
| CYO | See you online |
| DWB | Don’t write back |
| AIGHT | All right |
| ALCON | All concerned |
| GTBOS | Glad to be of service |
| BON | Believe it or not |
| DUR? | don’t you remember? |
| B4N | bye for now |
| T2ul | talk to you later |
| W4U | waiting for you |
| WUF | where are you from |
| YBS | you will be sorry |
| HUH | have you heard? |
| ICCL | I couldn’t care less |
| AFAIR | as far as I recall |
| KUTGW | keep up the good work |
| MOF | matter of fact |
| BION | believe it or not |
| DUZ | does |
| DUZNT | doesn’t |
Besides these, there are certain symbols too., which people use quiet often. People, who are technically handicapped, sometimes have difficulty in understanding what a particular symbol or emoticon means, and probably except for the smiling face [:)] and the sad face [:(], they have no idea even about the existence of some of the common symbols. Here is a list of those:
| Texting Symbols | Meaning |
| 😎 8) B-) B) | Smile with glasses |
| :'( | Crying |
| o:-) | Angel |
| 😐 | Disgusted |
| |-) | Sleepy or sleeping |
| >:) | Devil’s smile |
| :-)(-: | Married |
| :-& | Tongue-tied |
| :-, | Hmmmm…smirking |
| { } | Hug |
| (:| | Tired |
| :-E | Vampire |
| (_8-(|) | Homer Simpson |
| <3 td=””> | Mouse |
| 😡 | Kiss |
| >8-D | Evil Crazy Laughter |
| &:-] | Handsome with a square jaw |
| :@ | shouting |
| :-(O) | Shouting |
| :-~) | having a cold |
| 😡 | small kiss |
| X-D | Died laughing |
| =====:} | Snake |
| ~:\ | Elvis |
| Q:-) | College graduate |
| (-_-) | Boring |
| x_O O_x | Punched in the face |
| ///////8-) | Marge Simpson |
| B-)===> | Bart Simpson |
| X:^) | Lisa Simpson |
| =|:-)## | Uncle Sam |
| *:o) | Clown |
| :C | Very Sad |
| :-> | Sarcasm |
| :\/ | Can’t keep ones mouth shut |
| X-( | Just died |
| >:*) | Rudolph |
| @}–\-,— | Rose |
These symbols can be used especially when you do not want others to understand what you and your friends are talking about. If you want, then there are more emoticons that you can check out. Of course you will need sometime to get used to these, but once you get the hold of it, it will be fun. With these symbols, no longer do you have to spend hours behind the message that your friend sends you, and you can also surprise your friends by sending them a message using some of the ones mentioned above; if they face difficulty in decoding your SMS, then it’s your turn to mock them for not being able to follow such simple language!