If you listen to the newer generation, you must be wondering what happened to good ol’ English. The use of chat acronyms in speech has become the norm. This popularity can easily be tracked all the way to text messaging and online communication. If it wasn’t for these technologies, a common man could have never needed to known that these acronyms ever existed.
These acronyms are used quite frequently in the form of abbreviations and emotions. They are frequently used in online communications and chat applications such as the MSN instant messenger, e-mails and, most popularly, text messages. If you’re new to this world, you may confuse acronyms with initials. Yet the main difference between both is that an acronym is pronounced as a whole word while shorthand is read out one letter at a time. So “LOL” (Laugh Out Loud) is an acronym because you won’t say ‘L-O-L”.
Acronyms are becoming more accepted in personal and casual communication. They are, however, unacceptable for use in formal business communication. This is probably due to the fact that acronyms are really more slang in nature. For example, how appropriate is it for you to use “ROFL” (Roll on Floor Laughing) at a meeting?
Still, whether it’s to convey emotions or to sound cool, acronyms are commonly used. If you’re interested in learning more, you can always go through different chat rooms and see acronyms in action. Here are some of the popular ones you may come across:
- BRB (Be Right Back)
- BWL (Bursting with Laughter)
- OMG (Oh My God)
- BTW (By The Way)
- WTH?! (What the Hell)
So the next time you pass someone shouting “OMG”, don’t look at him as if he came from another planet. Your knowledge of these acronyms and others will definitely ensure you a better understanding of the new generation.
