What are the acronyms used in texting?
                     WHAT ARE THE 
ACRONYMS 
USED IN 
TEXTING?
INTRODUCTION
• Texting has now been around for over 25 years and it’s estimated that 8 
trillion text messages are sent globally every year. 
Source: www.grammarly.com
WHY ABBREVIATE?
• In the olden days before “unlimited talk and text” data plans, text messages 
were expensive to send and receive, and because they were limited to 160 
characters per message, every character was precious.
• As texting became popular, a new language of acronyms and texting 
abbreviations evolved and became embedded in texting and internet culture. 
Source: www.grammarly.com
BC
• BC: Because
• Example: Tacos for lunch bc it’s Tuesday!
Source: www.grammarly.com
BTW
• BTW: By the way
• Example: BTW I ate your plums in the fridge. So sweet, so cold!
Source: www.grammarly.com
CYA
• CYA: See ya
• “C” is often used as a stand-in for “see,” such as “CYT” (“see you 
tomorrow”) and “CU” (“see you”).
Source: www.grammarly.com
DM
• DM: Direct message
• On social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, a “direct 
message” is a private message that only the recipient can access, 
rather than a post that’s publicly visible.
Source: www.grammarly.com
IDK
• IDK: I don’t know
• Similar abbreviations include “DK” (“don’t know”) and “IDC” (“I don’t care”).
Source: www.grammarly.com
 IMO
• IMO: in my opinion
• “IMHO” (“in my humble opinion”) is another common variation.
Source: www.grammarly.com
LMK
• LMK: Let me know
• Example: Hey, LMK if you want pizza or tacos for dinner tonight.
Source: www.grammarly.com
LOL
• LOL: Laughing out loud
• Occasionally mistaken for “Lots Of Love,” LOL is one of the most widely known 
texting abbreviations and has been around for almost 30 years.
Source: www.grammarly.com