Online abbreviations are terribly common, an established part of written English thanks to chat rooms, the text message and Twitter. OISE Oxford considers the top three online abbreviations all top English language learners will encounter and may or may not want to use!
1) LOL
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1) LOL
This is the number one online abbreviation of the last decade. An acronym for "laughing out loud" or "laugh out loud" is a common element of Internet slang. It historically begun on Usenet but has now taken over! In the past in letter-writing it was used for "lots of luck" or "lots of love". David Cameron famously confused its meaning in communication with Rebekah Brooks by text. Read more here.
2) YOLO
You Only Live Once. Is generally seen as one of the most annoying abbreviations. Probably best to be avoided if you want to keep and make friends! The Urban Dictionary provides some amusing definitions of this online abbreviation: Read more here.
3) TBH
Means To Be Honest, and again is widely ridiculed. Seth Leith comments that "It's out of the same drawer as "frankly" and "with respect", and it should be returned to that drawer forthwith". Again, not another popular one. Read, the Urban Dictionary again for more amusing definitions.
Do read Seth Leith's article in 'The Guardian' to read his passionate dislike for the abbreviation and to find out more popular abbreviations.
