Smileys and Shorthand

for the Internet

Net users use emoticons (smileys etc) and shorthand in this "faceless" medium to express feelings and show actions or "body language." You'll find emoticons and shorthand used in chat, on message boards, in email -- everywhere! Tilting your head to the left or turning your screen on its side will help you to see most of the shorthand. :-) <--- See? Two eyes, a nose and a mouth!

Here are some of the most popular chat symbols and abbreviations. If you know of others you'd like to see added to this list, please email them to me *S*

:) = smile

:-) = smile (with a nose)

:o) = another smile

:D = smile/laughing/big grin

:-| = grim face

<s> = Smile

<S> = Big Smile

*S* = Variation of Smile

<g> = grin

<vbg> = very big grin

<eg> = evil grin

<wg> = wicked grin

:* = kiss

;) = wink

:X = my lips are sealed

:P = sticking out tongue

{} = a hug

{{{{{{{ }}}}}}} = lots of hugs

:( = frown

:'( = crying

O:) = angel

}:> = devil

<------ = referring to yourself

<~~~ = another way of referring to yourself

(_)? [_]? = coffee or tea

@--->--->--- = a rose

@---}---}----- = another rose

>^,,^< = a cat

<:3 )~ = A mouse

<3 = a heart

:o#) = man with a moustache

:-P = sticking out tongue

c[[]] = a pint of beer

<>< = a small fish

<(((>< = a big fish

(_8(|) = Homer Simpson

@@@@8 (|) = Marge Simpson

:-& = tongue-tied

<|:-) = witch

Below are some of the most common acronyms or abbreviations used in Chat. New ones are constantly being created. If you see one you don't understand, just ask someone else *G* and if you have any good original ones (clean please *grin*) please email them to me .*S*

AFK = Away From Keyboard

ATK = At the Keyboard

BAK = Back At Keyboard

BBL = Be Back Later

BFN or B4N = Bye For Now

BRB = Be Right Back

BTW = By The Way

FWIW = For What It's Worth

GMTA = Great Minds Think Alike

IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

IRL = In Real Life

LOL = Laughing Out Loud

LTNS = Long Time No See

TTFN = Ta-Ta For Now!

TTYL = Talk To You Later

ROFL = Rolling On the Floor Laughing

ROTF = Rolling On The Floor (variation of above)

WB = Welcome Back

WTG = Way To Go!

OIC = Oh I see

BRT = Be Right There

L8R = Later

CYA = See ya

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