The Top Internet Jargon Terms, 2011

1. AFK

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"AFK" is "Away from Keyboard". AFK is used in live chatting to advise people that you will not be responding for the few minutes as you will be away from the computer. AFK is commonly used with a descriptor like "afk bio" (you are going to the washroom), or "afk phone" (you are answering a phone call)

2. KCCO

TheChive: KCCO

"KCCO" is "Keep calm. Chive on.". This is a pop culture reference to the TheChive, a blog site dedicated to curious news and bizarre photos. KCCO is a fun way to say "hang loose, Chivers, and don't take life too seriously".

More on KCCO here...

3. HMU

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"HMU" is "Hit Me Up". This acronym is used to say "contact me", "text me", "phone me" or otherwise "reach me to follow up on this". It is a modern shorthand way to invite a person to communicate with you further. 

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4. WTF

IcanHazcheezburger.com

WTF stands for 'What the F*ck', a phrase to express dismay or shock. WTF is regularly used to curse publicly without actually uttering profanities. In modern Internet messaging, 'WTF' will often start a statement around something that is unbelievable. It is also used to end a statement where the user wants to express dismay, surprise, or confusion.

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5. BRB

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Be right back. This is used by people in text messaging, chat, and online gaming to say that they are leaving their keyboard for a minute. It is very similar to saying 'AFK'.

6. TTYL

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"TTYL" is "Talk to You Later". This is internet shorthand for saying "goodbye for now" or "we'll talk again soon". Like most internet acronyms, the expression is not suitable for initial business dealings. Instead, TTYL is best used in personal email and personal online chatting, or in those special circumstances where your business acquaintance has become a friend.

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7. W/E

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"W/E" is "whatever". You will see the same expression spelled as "w/e", "WE", "whutever" and "wutever". It is used a dismissive response to a statement that is disagreeable, but not worth arguing over. W/E indicates that the person is not interested in debating the topic any further.

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8. ROFL / ROFLMAO / LOL

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"ROFL" is the common acronym jargon expression for laughter. It stands for Rolling on Floor, Laughing. You will also see variations like LOL (Laughing Out Loud), and ROFLMAO (Rolling on Floor, Laughing My Ass Off).

9. IMHO

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In my humble opinion
. This expression is used to demonstrate humility while making a suggestion or posing an argument online. IMHO is also spelled in all lowercase as imho. It is identical to the expression JMHO/jmho (just my humble opinion).

10. OMG

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Oh my god!. This is a common expression of dismay and surprise. It is a more-polite way of saying WTF (what the f*ck).

11. RL / IRL

"RL" and "IRL" are the slang acronyms for "Real Life" / "In Real Life". It is used to reference "my other responsibilities" or "what I do when I am not on the computer". RL is a common expression amongst groups of people who spend significant online time together: IM chat buddies, online gamers, people who work on virtual teams.

12. NP

No problem

13. DW / DH

DW commonly stands for "Dear Wife" or "Darling Wife", a form of written digital affection in the 21st century. e.g. "I need to go pickup my DW from work, brb". "My DW made some angel food cake for my birthday".

Similarly, DH is "Dear husband" or "Darling Husband".

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14. NVM

"NVM" is "Never Mind". This acronym is used to say "please disregard my last question/comment", commonly because the user found the answer seconds after posting the original question.

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15. O RLY?

"O RLY", ("oh really") is a slang response to express sarcastic doubt, dismay, or incredulity to another online user. You would use this expression when someone else makes a questionable statement or false claim, and you wish to make a snarky response to their obvious mistruth.

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16. PLZ

lorem ipsum

17. AMAIR / IIRC

"AMAIR" is "As Much As I Recall". IIRC is "If I Recall Correctly.  These are both internet shorthand for saying "that's how I understand it, but I could be wrong". AMAIR and IIRC is used when you answer someone's question with humility.

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18. BISLY

"BISLY" is "But I Still Love You" This slang acronym is used as playful affection, often during online arguments or debates. It can be used to mean "no hard feelings", or "we're still friends", or "I don't like what you just said, but I won't hold it against you. BISLY is commonly used between people who are familiar with each other.

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19. BTAIM

"BTAIM" is the slang acronym for "Be That As It May". It is used to say "while that may be true, there is something else to consider". BTAIM can be a polite gesture to acknowledge someone else's viewpoint in a conversation. BTAIM can also be a used to show that you are about to be devil's advocate for your own opinion.

20. BTW

By the way... This btw expression is used to steer the conversation to another topic. It is the online version of the same English expression.

21. JSYK

Just so you know. This online expression is the same as the classic English expression. You would use jsyk to describe that 'this is an FYI' statement.