Given the abbreviated nature of instant messages and the hassle of typing messages, many chatters employ acronyms, or IM shorthand, for super quick communications.
Limit your use of IM shorthand to common acronyms most readers are likely to understand. If you have any doubt that your reader will not understand (perhaps because of language or cultural differences) avoid acronyms altogether.
?4U | question for you |
BCNU | be seeing you |
BFN | bye for now |
BRB | be right back |
BTW | by the way |
CUL8R | see you later |
F2F | face to face |
FAQ | frequently asked questions |
FOAF | friend of a friend |
FUBAR | fouled up beyond all reason |
FWIW | for what it’s worth |
FYA | for your amusement |
FYEO | for your eyes only |
FYI | for your information |
GMTA | great minds think alike |
GW | good work |
HHOK | ha-ha, only kidding |
IC | I see |
IDK | I don’t know |
IMCO | in my considered opinion |
IMHO | in my humble opinion |
IOW | in other words |
JK | just kidding |
K | okay |
LOL | laughing out loud |
MOTOS | member of the opposite sex |
MOTSS | member of the same sex |
MSGS | messages |
NFW | no [freaking] way |
NLT | no later than |
NRN | no reply necessary |
OBTW | oh, by the way |
OIC | oh, I see |
OTOH | on the other hand |
OTP | on the phone |
PCM | please call me |
PLS | please |
PMFJI | pardon me for jumping in |
PRES | presentation |
PTP | pardon the pun |
QTY’S | quantities |
REC’D | received |
RGDS | regards |
ROTFL | rolling on the floor laughing |
THX | thanks |
TIA | thanks in advance |
TIC | tongue in cheek |
TMRW | tomorrow |
TTFN | ta-ta for now |
TTYL | talk to you later |
TYVM | thank you very much |
WB | welcome back |
WRT | with regards to |
WTG | way to go |
YR | your |
YT | you there? |