In an acknowledgement of the internet’s overwhelming influence on the triviality we sometimes refer to as “real life,” the Oxford English Dictionary doyens have decided to add a few of the web’s favorite pronouncements to their lexicon. Among them are the standouts OMG, LOL and FYI, joining their compatriots IMHO and BFF among the proud number of officially sanctioned initialisms (abbreviations contracted to the initials of their words) used in the English language. Shockingly enough, the expression OMG has had its history tracked all the way back to 1917, while LOL used to mean “little old lady” back in the ’60s, and FYI first showed up in corporate lingo in 1941. Not only that, but the heart symbol — not the <3 emoticon, the actual ♥ graphic — has also made it in.




  1. Luc says:

    The heart <3 emoticon looks like a very small and flaccid penis.

    Now you'll remember this every time you see it. You're welcome.

  2. dcphill says:

    LSMFT

  3. McCullough says:

    #3. Yes, they DO make fine tobacco…or did.

  4. Mr, Ed - the Original (with comma) says:

    #3 dephill – that’ll leave the young’uns ascratchin’ they heads!

  5. Special Ed says:

    No DIAF?

  6. WmDE says:

    What went to war?

  7. Likes2LOL says:

    RTFM, or RTFD?

  8. I love it- gas for your car – LOL
    Its the Twitter generation
    Yet no one has time to talk to anyone
    200 channels on TV yet nothing is on !
    LOL
    So much for “Gen X”
    Give me the 60’s

  9. lynn says:

    I personally eschew profanity but when I do a ‘chalk talk’ class with my sociology students – maybe using stick figures to illustrate Cooley’s Looking Glass Self theory of socialization – I always get a startled chuckle if I add a thought balloon with “WTF”.

    The F could stand for any number of things.

  10. chuck says:

    FUBAR? – it describes so many of our current problems.

  11. dcphill says:

    Anybody know what NSFW stands for?

  12. Likes2LOL says:

    #12 – Still need help? NSFW = Not Safe For Work

    From a dynamic resource:
    http://urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nsfw

  13. dcphill says:

    SNAFU
    AWOL


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