At Preply, we all know that language doesn’t stand nonetheless. It grows, shifts, and adapts, formed by tradition, know-how, and the best way individuals join. As language educators, we’re not simply centered on grammar and vocabulary. We’re right here to assist learners perceive the actual language used each day, from classroom conversations to Reddit threads and TikTok feedback.
To discover how digital language is evolving, we surveyed U.S. residents on their understanding of over 75 standard web and texting acronyms. The outcomes? A captivating snapshot of how completely different generations interpret trendy shorthand, and how briskly as we speak’s expressions turn into tomorrow’s head-scratchers.
Suppose you realize your “TL;DR” out of your “ICYMI”? You is likely to be shocked. Learn on to see how digital fluency is shaping the best way we talk, and why it issues for language learners in every single place.
Key takeaways
- EMBM (early morning enterprise assembly), AYOR (at your personal danger), and RLRT (actual life retweet) have been essentially the most complicated textual content acronyms.
- LMAO (laughing my a** off), GRATZ (congratulations), and IANAL (I’m not a lawyer) have been essentially the most annoying textual content acronyms and abbreviations.
- Reddit, X (Twitter), and TikTok have been the web platforms with essentially the most complicated acronyms.
- Millennials have been the era who understood textual content acronyms essentially the most – beating out Gen Z by 1.5%.
- Gen Xers have been most aggravated by LOL – 23% mentioned they discover the acronyms annoying, greater than every other era.
The textual content acronyms and abbreviations most individuals don’t know
From talking in code in concern of onlookers to the straightforward enjoyment of utilizing a shortened language, individuals have a variety of causes to make use of acronyms when texting. Nevertheless, as a result of not all acronyms are understood, some texters discover themselves looking on-line for the which means behind the clump of letters watching them by their cellphone.
Up first, because the most unknown acronym is EMBM, which interprets to “early morning enterprise assembly.” Of these surveyed, solely 3.8% of individuals knew the which means, whereas others have been left guessing. AYOR is up subsequent, which means “at your personal danger.” Fortunately, these acronyms largely reside in our telephones and never on any warning indicators on the road. We are able to solely think about how many individuals may assume AYOR is the identify of a park once they wander right into a seemingly peaceable area that’s truly a harmful, deserted industrial web site with an indication studying “Enter AYOR.”
Outdoors of texting, social media is one other standard residence for these acronyms, and it even sparks creativity within the creation of some. This brings us to our third most unknown phrase, RLRT, translating to “actual life retweet.” In fourth place with 4.2% of People drawing a clean, is WTPA, “the place the occasion at.”
Not all acronyms depart individuals scratching their heads although. Main the best way as essentially the most recognizable phrase is LOL or “laughing out loud.” a phrase that has even made its method into verbal conversations rather than audible laughter for some individuals. IDK follows intently behind which interprets to “I don’t know.”
Total, we discovered that millennials are the era who perceive textual content acronyms essentially the most – beating out Gen Z by 1.5%. When requested about their degree of confidence in understanding web slang and acronyms, Gen Zers have been the most definitely to really feel “very assured.” Confidence hasn’t stored some individuals from throwing acronyms into their digital conversations, nonetheless, as 1 in 9 People admit to utilizing an acronym with out understanding the which means.
The platforms with essentially the most difficult acronyms
If in case you have discovered your self scrolling by social media solely to stumble throughout textual content acronyms you didn’t perceive, you’re not alone. Once we requested respondents which platform is residence to essentially the most difficult acronyms, it was Reddit that took the lead.
This discussion board social media platform has left 1 in 4 individuals not sure and perhaps even googling phrases utilized in sure subreddits. Who is aware of, a subreddit on the market may even be devoted to individuals attempting to know these phrases.
X, previously generally known as Twitter, is up subsequent as 1 in 5 People mentioned the social platform was residence to essentially the most complicated acronyms. Once you solely have 280 characters to work with, some creativity is required. Maybe that is the principle motive for confusion amongst customers.
With texting acronyms coming into a number of areas of our lives as of late, we wished to study extra about People’ ideas on the usage of them within the office. Whereas practically 2 in 5 individuals say it could depend upon the context, 57% mentioned “no.”
Not a lot to our shock, we found that older generations usually tend to protest acronyms within the office than youthful generations. However, males usually tend to be in favor of the change than girls.
The texting phrases persons are aggravated by
Texting acronyms and abbreviations will not be for everybody. Outdoors of those that merely don’t perceive the slang type of dialog, many discover acronyms annoying, or no less than a few of them notably annoying.
Main the best way because the most disliked phrase is LMAO, which interprets to “laughing my a** off.” Total, 1 in 5 People would somewhat do with out the phrase. Up subsequent is GRATZ, a shortened model of “congratulations,” adopted by IANAL in third place, which means “I’m not a lawyer.”
On the subject of acronyms with swear phrases, child boomers have been the most definitely to seek out them annoying. Generally, 31% say they discover LMAO annoying, whereas one other 20% disliked the utilization of WTF, translating to “what the f***.”
Not all acronyms irritated respondents, nonetheless, as TIL, “as we speak I discovered,” topped our rating of the least annoying phrases. It’s adopted by OP for “authentic poster,” and JIC, which means “simply in case.”
The web has its personal language – are you fluent?
The web has turn into its personal nation, full with tradition, developments, and naturally, language. It’s not stunning – over two-thirds of the world is on-line, in line with Statista. From Reddit slang to TikTok acronyms, the best way we converse on-line can really feel like a complete new language. And, as our survey reveals, not everyone seems to be fluent – particularly in the case of phrases like AYOR (at your personal danger) or PITR (mum or dad within the room).
At Preply, we all know that understanding a language is extra than simply memorizing phrases. It’s about greedy the context, whether or not you’re conducting a proper enterprise assembly or chatting in an informal group full of inside jokes and shorthand. And whereas textbooks and language studying apps have their place, nothing beats studying by a tutor. From understanding cultural context to perfecting pronunciation, and even studying by errors, 1-on-1 classes with a tutor supply the sort of sensible, private studying that sticks.
So regardless of should you’re taking Spanish lessons for work, brushing up on French for journey, or simply attempting to maintain up together with your child’s textual content chain, Preply will help you turn into extra assured in each sort of dialog. You’ll be prepared for something – from early morning enterprise conferences to holding dad and mom clueless.
Methodology
In April 2025, we surveyed 1,820 U.S. residents on how properly they perceive textual content acronyms and abbreviations like LOL, JK, and TL;DR. We additionally requested them which phrases they discovered most annoying, in addition to which on-line platforms and communities have essentially the most difficult acronyms. Respondents have been segmented into generations by age (Technology Z, millennials, Technology X, and child boomers) and in addition gender (male, feminine, and nonbinary).