May 6, 2006
Today’s teenagers (a wireless computer, cell phone generation) have a linguistic code we Baby Boomers can learn if we try.
We may have grown up speaking Pig Latin (igpay atinlay) and, therefore, know a little something about secret codes ourselves.
The new messaging system that teens use is just about as crazy as the Pig Latin of our youth.
Are you LOL (laughing out loud) at this?
OMG (Oh, my gosh), I hope not.
YO (Hey)!
GFS (girlfriends) and BFS (boyfriends)--I thought we were BF4L (best friends for life), so D/W (don’t worry).
If you did not follow the above conversation, I could try to write it in Pig Latin. Never mind, you might want to become familiar with the teenage slang of the day and lose the Pig Latin, even though they are equally zany.
Imagine this everyday occurence: a parent walks into the room while the teenager is typing on the computer or sees the teen text messaging on the ever-present cell phone.
Note to parents (NTP), a cell phone comes equipped with its own invisible, umbilical cord that is attached to the teenager’s body, BYKTA (but you know that already).
Seriously (SRSLY), back to my example.
The teen does not hesitate and begins to type strange acronyms and unusual words, ones that parents cannot possibly decipher.
You are not paranoid, they really are talking about you, and it is in the most minimal way possible.
The teenager might type one word to convene the urgency of the moment--POS (parent over shoulder), or this phrase, “Lights are on” (parents are in the room). They might text this one word that says it all—PAL (parents are listening).
As far as I know, grandchildren do not type GOS (grandparents over shoulder). Grandchildren most likely would not care a bit if we were looking over their shoulders.
Parents can relax because this secret teen dialogue is not meant to be disrespectful to adults, nor does it suggest any sort of rebellion.
The clandestine communication you are witnessing is simply a teenage version of shorthand because teenagers do not want to take the time to write a complete sentence.
That is all there is to it, JTLYK (just to let you know).
H/O (hold on).
We could be about to master teenage slang here.
You are catching on.
Other cyber code words you need in order to be in the know include: JK (just kidding); the letter “G” (good-bye); the letter “K” (OK); or JW (just wondering), and of course, SUP (short for what’s up).
If you should happen to see a teen type the word “FAT”, take no offense. They do not mean you are fat. In their unwritten book of wireless codes, “fat” means nice.
Here are common examples of teenage chat slang, all requiring a minimal amount of typing: BFN (bye for now); BBL (be back later); BTDT (been there done that); GAL (get a life); xoxo (hugs and kisses); IANAL (I am not a lawyer, but…), LTNS (long time no see), and YBS (you’ll be sorry).
This one wins for saying the most with the least amount of letters—“R” (what are you doing tonight).
To that, I have this reply—“ROFL” (rolling on floor laughing).
By the way (BTW), I just learned that the use of ALL CAPS indicates one is shouting. Whoops!
And one more thing, make a NTS (note to self)--teenagers will not approve if parents start using their own slang in front of them. BI (bad idea).
Well, I gotta run (GR), “ta ta for now” (TTFN).
Later (L8R).
