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SOCIAL MEDIA ACRONYMS FOR EVERY PLATFORM
The use of acronyms on social media has exploded in recent years, partially driven by the character limits of platforms such as Twitter, but also because of their simplicity and effectiveness. As a marketer or small business owner, it’s tricky knowing which acronyms should be used, and which ones should be avoided at all costs.
Our best advice? Stick to what your customers recognise; and just like emojis on social media, less is more when it comes to acronyms.
A
AMA — Ask Me Anything
Favoured on social media platforms as a way to connect celebrities and influencers with their fans.
Ex: “Hi, I’m John Doe, the superstar DJ. You can AMA this Friday!”
ASL — Age / Sex / Location
Used as a way to get to know someone.
Ex: “Really nice talking to you. ASL?”
AFAIK — As Far As I Know
A subtle way to imply that you may not know everything about the topic being discussed.
Ex: “There were only three seasons of Friends AFAIK.”
AFK — Away From Keyboard
You are away from your phone/screen, but not permanently.
Ex: “I need to finish some washing. I’m going AFK for a while.”
AWOL — Away Without Leave
Refers to unauthorised absence from work/an event; AWOL in the military means someone deserted their post.
Ex: “Agnes promised she’d join us and now she is AWOL!”
ASAP — As Soon As Possible
When you need to convey urgency.
Ex: “If you could get that on my desk ASAP, I’d really appreciate it.”
AYKMWTS — Are You Kidding Me With This Sh—?
A sarcastic way to express you’re upset about something.
Ex: “Just seen the price rise on my internet bill, AYKMWTS?”
AYT — Are You There?
A way to check if someone is online, active, or replying.
Ex: “Hey, buddy, AYT?”
B
BB — Bye Bye / Baby
An informal way to say bye, usually between friends. Also used as shorthand for the affectionate connotation of “baby”.
Ex: “I’ll see you later, BB.”
B2W — Back To Work
Letting everyone know you are going back to work. Or, a way to tell your colleagues to get back to it.
Ex: “Oh well, lunch break is over. B2W I go.”
B4 — Before
While not as popular as it used to be, B4 is still an effective way to save characters in a tweet or message.
Ex: “B4 you go, you should definitely bookmark this page.”
BAE — Before Anyone Else
Affectionately used to reference a significant other. Also used between best friends.
Ex: “Love you, BAE.”
BD — Big Deal
Depending on the context, big deal can be used to express contempt or something that is genuinely important. Most uses on social media adhere to the former.
Ex: “Oh, wow, more half-price sales, BD.”
BRB — Be Right Back
Used to express a momentary absence.
Ex: “Doorbell just rang, BRB.”
BAMF — Bad Ass Mutha F—er
If someone does something genuinely remarkable, expect them to be called a BAMF.
Ex: “Damn, Dwayne Johnson is a BAMF.”
BF — Boyfriend
An affectionate term for a male significant other.
Ex: “I love my BF more than anything in the world!”
BFF — Best Friend Forever
Typically favoured among younger audiences, BFF is used to express gratitude towards a person’s best friend.
Ex: “My bestie got me tickets to see Iron Maiden—BFF!”
BFN — Bye For Now
Ends a conversation that you intend to come back to in the future.
Ex: “It was really nice talking to you, BFN.”
BTS — Behind The Scenes
Indicates that what is being shown leads to something bigger. Useful for generating excitement on social media.
Ex: “We are excited to give our followers a BTS look at our next episode of Love Island.”
BTW — By The Way
Add extra information, be sarcastic, or go off on a tangent—the choice is yours.
Ex: “Oh, I forgot to say, David’s back BTW.”
BTAIM — Be That As It May
Useful in arguments or disagreements online to counteract other users.
Ex: “BTAIM, I prefer the old Star Wars films over the newest one.”
BBS — Be Back Soon
Similar to BRB.
Ex: “Yo, just finished my washing. I need to hang it up, but I’ll BBS.”
C
CX — Correction
If you make a mistake and the original post cannot be amended.
Ex: “(CX). Big elephants can always understand SMALL elephants.”
CU — See You
Used to end discussions online.
Ex: “Good to hear from you, CU later.”
CYL — See You Later / Catch You Later
See above. Used to end discussions online.
Ex: “We should definitely meet up soon. Until then, CYL.”
CMB — Call Me Back
Used informally between friends, or when requesting a call-back from customer services.
Ex: “I tried to get ahold of you earlier, but there was no answer. CMB.”
CUL8R — Call You Later
Most commonly used between friends and family.
Ex: “Pictures look great, I’ll CUL8R.”
D
DAE — Does Anyone Else
An effective way to engage an audience or ask for information.
Ex: “DAE put the milk in first when making tea, or is it just me?”
DYK — Did You Know
An acronym used to share a fact or info-filled social media post.
Ex: “DYK during the filming of _Avengers: Endgame_, none of the cast were allowed their phones on set?”
DGYF — Dang Girl You Fine
One of several slang acronyms used to express love for the female form.
Ex: “Insane photo—DGYF!”
DM — Direct Message
Used professionally and socially to reference private messages sent between two parties.
Ex: “We’d really like to help you out with your request. Please send us a DM, and a customer service advisor will get back to you ASAP.”
DFTBA — Don’t Forget To Be Awesome
Used to encourage friends, family, or followers to do something out of their comfort zone.
Ex: “Good luck in today’s marathon. To all our followers, DFTBA.”
E
ELI5 — Explain Like I’m Five
Popular on Reddit, but also useful on other social media platforms. Invoked when a topic needs to be explained in the simplest way possible.
Ex: “I’m really struggling with this whole Brexit thing. Can someone ELI5?”
F
FYI — For Your Information
Context is essential, but FYI is usually meant to reference a helpful or informative post.
Ex: “FYI, the road channel tunnel between England and France is shut temporarily.”
FTW — For The Win
Express your gratitude, excitement, or success with FTW.
Ex: “Just booked a trip abroad. Holidays FTW!”
FTFY — Fixed That For You
A simple way to let people know you have corrected a mistake.
Ex: “The match is actually on Saturday, not Sunday. FTFY.”
FOMO — Fear Of Missing Out
A form of social anxiety experienced when missing a big event. Also used to encourage followers to sign-up for emails or updates so they don’t miss out.
Ex: “Experiencing major FOMO? Don’t worry, we will keep you up-to-date with all the reunion news, stay tuned!”
FF — Follow Friday
A popular trend on Twitter for encouraging users to follow other notable accounts.
Ex: “#FF @yuqo @copywritingexperts.”
FBO — Facebook Official
It isn’t confirmed until it’s Facebook official. Used to verify the status of something important.
Ex: “Just got the keys to our new home. It’s FBO—we are homeowners.”
FBF — Flashback Friday
Particularly popular on Instagram, but also features on Facebook and Twitter. Users typically post an image (with captions) taken on the same day, several years prior.
Ex: “FBF—anyone remember when flared jeans were cool?”
FYA / FYE — For Your Amusement / For Your Entertainment
Usually accompanied by a meme or GIF meant to make followers laugh.
Ex: “FYE—who knew a dog riding a surfboard could be so funny?!”
FWIW — For What It’s Worth
When giving feedback or information, and you’re not sure if it’s needed or not.
Ex: “FWIW, I think you did really well in the race today.”
FFS — For F—k’s Sake
An expression of dismay or upset about something.
Ex: “FFS, I really wish this company would stop sending me marketing emails every day.”
FML — F—k My Life
When things don’t go to plan, or you make a mistake.
Ex: “Just shrunk my best t-shirt in the wash. FML!”
FB — Facebook
Shorthand for the social media platform Facebook.
Ex: “Follow us on FB for all the latest gossip.”
F2F — Face To Face
Signifies you want to meet in person.
Ex: “I think it would be better if we had this conversation F2F.”
FUTAB — Feet Up, Take A Break
When you’ve finished something important and want to let everyone know you’re taking a break.
Ex: “Just finished a 6000-word article on social media acronyms. FUTAB time!”
G
Gr8 — Great
A shorthand compliment or affirmation.
Ex: “Gr8 job on the assignment this week.”
GG — Good Game
Despite being used sarcastically, GG should be used to compliment someone’s performance.
Ex: “Wow, that was tough, but GG.”
G2G / GTG — Got To Go
Used to end a conversation.
Ex: “My shift is nearly over, G2G.”
GFY / GTFOH / GOMF — Go F—k Yourself / Get The F—k Outta Here / Get Outta My Face
A very rude way to tell someone you want them to leave the conversation.
Ex: “I’ve had it with your blatantly false accusations, GFY!”
GTR — Got To Run
Similar to G2G. Used when you want to end a conversation or are pressed for time.
Ex: “It’s been good to chat, but my bus is here, GTR.”
GTI — Going Through It
When you are looking through a text or image you’ve been sent. Alternatively, when you’re overwhelmed with work and expectations.
Ex: “Thanks for the DM. GTI now.”
GF — Girlfriend
Affectionate term for a female significant other.
Ex: “Just got my birthday present in the post. I have the greatest GF ever!”
GB — Goodbye
Used when you want to end a conversation.
Ex: “GB, it was lovely seeing you.”
H
HBD — Happy Birthday
Celebrate someone’s birthday with this handy acronym.
Ex: “HBD to my eldest son, where has the time gone?”
HIFW – How I Feel When…
A tag used before memes or comedic posts. Can signify a positive or negative attitude.
Ex: “HIFW that paycheque hits.”
HMB / HMU — Hit Me Back / Hit Me Up
A prompt to remind someone to reply to you or start a conversation.
Ex: “I noticed you on the bus today. HMU and we can chat.”
HT or H/T — Hat Tip
Doing something noteworthy is met with a tip of the hat in recognition.
Ex: Usually used on its own — “HT.”
HTH — Happy To Help
A means of replying to someone thanking you.
Ex: “No worries, I was HTH.”
HYFR — Hell Yeah, F—ing Right
When you know a situation may not be what it seems, but are still enjoying yourself and going with the flow. Also a Drake song.
Ex: “Do you ever get nervous before an interview?”
“HYFR, I do.”
HUN — Hunny
An affectionate term for someone you love, or are friendly toward.
Ex: “Thanks, HUN, you are the best.”
I
ICYMI / ICYWW — In Case You Missed It / In Case You Were Wondering
A chance to throwback to something that followers may have missed.
Ex: “ICYMI, this is the day we opened—nearly 20 years ago!”
IDC / IDK — I Don’t Care / I Don’t Know
Handy when you aren’t interested in a conversation.
Ex: “Sounds great, but IDC.”
IKR — I Know Right
Something is uncanny, and you agree.
Ex: “How much does Steve look like his dad?”
Reply: “IKR.”
ILY — I Love You
An affectionate term between two people.
Ex: “Don’t forget, ILY.”
IMO / IMHO — In My Opinion / In My Humble Opinion
A way to give unpopular, controversial, or provocative feedback on a topic. The “humble” adds slightly more conviction.
Ex: “She was totally faking it, IMO.”
IRL — In Real Life
In case you need to clarify that something happened outside of virtual life.
Ex: “I’m going to hang out with my IRL friends this weekend.”
IG — Instagram
Shorthand for the social media platform Instagram.
Ex: “Follow for follow on IG this weekend.”
IIRC — If I Remember Correctly
If you aren’t entirely sure of the details, but still want to provide some input.
Ex: “Suzie has three kids from her first husband, and two with the second, IIRC.”
IM — Instant Message
A throwback to the messaging platforms of old, IM is still used when referring to Facebook messenger.
Ex: “Any questions, just send us an IM on FB.”
IANAD — I Am Not A Doctor
If you are offering medical advice, but want to omit responsibility if it doesn’t go to plan.
Ex: “I had the same thing a few years back, and cream cleared it right up, but IANAD.”
J
JK — Just Kidding
If you need to clarify that something is a joke. Often used to alleviate tension or to add a lighthearted tone to a conversation.
Ex: “If Donald Trump were ten years younger, I definitely would. JK!”
JSYK — Just So You Know
A friendly way to give friends or family semi-serious information.
Ex: “JSYK, the dog ate all the biscuits in the cupboard.”
JELL — Jealous
A casual way to let your friends know you are jealous.
Ex: “That new car is so nice, I’m so JELL.”
JIC — Just In Case
A way to give advice or information even if it hasn’t been requested.
Ex: “There’s a spare key under the rock by the back door JIC you aren’t back in time.”
JW — Just Wondering
If you need to ask a question in a non-committal way.
Ex: “JW if you were free this evening?”
K
K / KK / KL — Okay / Okay Cool / Cool
Variations of acknowledging someone’s question or statement. KK is typically used among friends.
Ex: Statement: “I’ll be at the game tonight, but probably a little later than usual.”
Reply: “KK.”
L
LOL / LOLZ — Laugh Out Loud
Arguably one of the oldest acronyms on the internet, it’s used when you find something funny. LOLZ is a sarcastic variation, although both are so widely used that the topic doesn’t always need to be funny to warrant a LOL.
Ex: “Did someone really write this entire list of acronyms? LOL!”
LMAO / LMFAO — Laughing My Ass Off / Laughing My F—ing Ass Off
A reply to something genuinely funny.
Ex: “Did you see the latest fail video, I was LMAO the entire time.”
LMK — Let Me Know
If you want someone to reply.
Ex: “I’ll be about all weekend if you want to do something. LMK.”
LMS — Like My Status
A social media tool to encourage engagement. Typically used alongside a promotion or incentive.
Ex: “The first ten people to LMS will get an exclusive discount code!”
LYL — Love You Lots
An affectionate term usually exchanged between family and friends.
Ex: “LYL, make sure to stay in touch.”
L8 — Late
A shorthand acronym useful when you need to save characters.
Ex: “The bus was L8, but I am on my way.”
M
MCM — Man Crush Monday
A weekly trend linked to posting attractive and admirable male figures.
Ex: “Bradley Cooper is MCM.”
MFW — My Face When…
Similar to HIFW, except the focus is usually on animals or objects that mimic human facial expressions.
Ex: “MFW I realise it’s only Wednesday.”
MTFBWY — May The Force Be With You
A phrase from the Star Wars universe meant to encourage luck and good fortune.
Ex: “Have fun this weekend and MTFBWY.”
MYOB / MTOB — Mind Your Own Business / Mind Their Own Business
If you need to tell someone to keep their opinions to themselves.
Ex: “The issue is between Jeffrey and I. Everyone else needs to MTOB.”
MT — Modified Tweet
An acronym used on Twitter when a user tries to manually retweet a message that is too long.
Ex: “This article is incredible! MT: The Ultimate Guide to Social Media Acronyms by Yuqo.”
N
NBD — No Big Deal
Used to downplay the seriousness of something.
Ex: “Don’t worry if you can’t make it this weekend; it’s NBD.”
NM — Not Much
Usually in response to a question.
Ex: “What you up to on Thursday?”
Reply: “NM.”
NSFW / NSFL — Not Safe For Work / Not Safe For Life
If the post contains images, text, or video that is unsuitable for a professional environment. Use NSFL if the content is really extreme.
Ex: “Make sure you check out the NSFW trailer for The Shining.”
NVM — Nevermind
Used when information isn’t needed, or when you make a mistake you’re not worried about.
Ex: “I totally forget to return that call—NVM.”
NFW — No F—ing Way
Express outrage, concern, or intrigue with NFW.
Ex: “Did they really just tell their boss to get lost? NFW!”
NTS — Note To Self
Write NTS before leaving a reminder about something you need to do.
Ex: “NTS—sale starts this Friday. Must make sure I buy that top!”
NTW — Not To Worry
A good way to reassure someone if they forget an appointment or don’t reply to a message.
Ex: “I asked you if you wanted to go out, but you must have missed my message. NTW.”
O
OH — Overheard
If you are quoting something funny or useful you overheard, use OH at the beginning of a post.
Ex: “OH (customer to the bartender): ‘You come here often?’”
OMG — Oh My God / Oh My Gosh
An expression of shock and awe.
Ex: “Did you see that jump? OMG, it was insane!”
OMW — On My Way
A useful acronym when you are late for a date.
Ex: “Sorry, my train was delayed. OMW.”
OTD — … Of The Day
Usually used in conjunction with a funny meme or picture.
Ex: “Darwin award contender OTD: Professional welder Howard Miller, the experimental genius who mixed oxygen and acetylene in an LPG bottle without regulator.”
OG — Original Gangster
An endearing term for someone who is a trendsetter, or who has proven themselves to be the first to do something.
Ex: “Michael Jackson is the OG of modern pop music.”
OAN — On Another Note
An effective way to change the topic or add unrelated information.
Ex: “Good job yesterday. OAN, did you get my message about Saturday?”
OP — Original Poster
An acronym used to indicate a reply is aimed at the person who started a thread or conversation.
Ex: “These are all good replies, but I think the OP is looking for something more constructive.”
ORLY — Oh, Really?!
Mainly used as a sarcastic reply, but also as a genuine expression of shock or surprise.
Ex: “ORLY, why don’t you tell the story again…?”
OT — Off-Topic / On-Topic
Used in forums, YouTube comments, and newsgroups, OT indicates a contribution is on-topic if it is related to the current discussion, and off-topic if it’s not.
OTP — One True Pairing
Two people who are meant for each other.
Ex: “Walter White and Jessie are my OTP.”
P
PM — Private Message
Shorthand for messages sent between two parties.
Ex: “I had a ton of PMs about my ‘for sale’ ad over the weekend.”
PPL — People
Useful for saving letters in a tweet or message.
Ex: “Jim had a bunch of PPL follow him at the weekend.”
PSA — Public Service Announcement
The information you are about to post is useful and not exclusive to friends or family.
Ex: “PSA: The road by the old church is closed until further notice.”
PDA — Public Display of Affection
Couples who are kissing or touching in public.
Ex: “What is with everyone and their PDA?”
PRT — Partial Retweet
If you retweet part of an OP’s message, but don’t include the full details.
Ex: “PRT: ‘There is one thing I cannot be without’. Prince Harry exposes all in an exclusive interview.”
POS — Piece of Sh—
If someone or something has acted in a way you are not happy with.
Ex: “Roger acted like a complete POS last night.”
PITA — Pain In The Ass
Depending on the context, PITA can be used affectionately, or if someone is genuinely difficult or intrusive.
Ex: “Gladys is a true gem, but my God she can be a real PITA during the holiday season.”
POIDH — Pictures Or It Didn’t Happen
If a story is so unbelievable that the only way to prove it is with pictures.
Ex: “I landed the craziest snowboarding trick last weekend.”
Reply: “POIDH!”
PLS / PLZ — Please
Useful shorthand for saving characters.
Ex: “Does anyone have a spare charger, PLZ, I’m desperate!”
Q
QOTD — Quote Of The Day
Signifies that the post will contain a famous or impactful quote. Can be used to encourage action among followers, or as part of brand messaging.
Ex: “QOTD: ‘Don’t count the days, make the days count’ ― Muhammad Ali.”
QOT — Quote Of Truth
Similar to QOTD, but QOT focusses on thought-provoking topics or actions based on the concept of truth.
Ex: “QOT: ‘Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world … would do this, it would change the earth’ ― William Faulkner.”
QL / QS / QYB ― Quit Laughing / Quit Scrolling / Quit Your Bitching
All three are useful acronyms to request posters to stop a particular action. They can also be used to encourage or dismay readers.
Ex: “We have the latest scoop on tomorrow’s weather, QS and click the link”, or, “Man, all you do is moan. Why don’t you QYB and do something about it?”
QQ — Quick Question
If you want a quick answer, it is best to ask a quick question.
Ex: “QQ—what time do you open tomorrow?”
R
RT — Retweet
Put this at the beginning of a tweet if the message is not your own. Also handy if you want to ask followers to RT your message.
Ex: “RT for a chance to be entered into our prize draw.”
ROFL / ROFLMAO ― Rolling On the Floor Laughing / Rolling On the Floor Laughing My Ass Off
The upgraded version of LOL. Use it when something is so funny it genuinely has you laughing. If a post is the funniest thing you’ve ever seen, try ROFLMAO.
Ex: “I can’t even… I’m ROFLMAO at this cat wearing a cape meme.”
RN — Right Now
Effective at building urgency.
Ex: “RN everything in our online store is 70% off!”
RLY — Really
Save a few characters, build emphasis, or if you aren’t sure whether a post is true or not, try a sarcastic RLY.
Ex: “Today RLY is your last chance to follow @yuqocontent on Twitter and get a year’s worth of content for free!”
S
SMH — Shaking My Head
If you need to express disappointment, disapproval, or if a post is too stupid for words, SMH is your go-to acronym.
Ex: “SMH, I can’t even right now. Why would you do that?!”
SRSLY — Seriously
Useful for saving characters and highlighting how serious you are about a topic.
Ex: “I cannot wait to finish work. I SRSLY need a holiday!”
SOL — Sh— Outta Luck
When you’ve run out of desirable options and there are only bad choices left.
Ex: “You didn’t save your presentation before it crashed? Guess you’re SOL.”
STFU — Shut The F— Up
A challenging acronym to incorporate into marketing.
Ex: “You think you’ve got better deals than us? You need to STFU!”
SO — Shout Out
When highlighting a patron, business partner, or loyal customer, preface the message with a SO to let people know what they’ve done.
Ex: “SO to Jess, our most loyal customer for the last 25 years.”
SFW — Safe For Work
Whether you are posting a picture, video, or corporate message, SFW lets your followers know the content won’t contain any pornographic or otherwise offensive material.
Ex: “Brand-new SFW trailer for our winter underwear range.”
SM — Social Media
General acronym applicable to all forms of social media.
Ex: “Contact us on SM for more information.”
T
TLDR — Too Long; Didn’t Read
If you need to condense a long (usually informative) post into several key points, the acronym TLDR is useful.
Ex: “TLDR, we won’t be open on Monday because of repairs.”
TBF — To Be Fair / To Be Frank
Used to present or support an argument or that of another user.
Ex: “TBF, you didn’t say it was your birthday, so how were we supposed to know?”
TBH — To Be Honest
If you need to reassure readers that what you’re posting is an honest opinion. It is also used to compliment another user.
Ex: “TBH, we couldn’t be happier with our new marketing campaign.”
TY / THX — Thank You / Thanks
Save characters while being polite and courteous.
Ex: “Our 50% sale was a huge success; TY for all your support.”
TBT — Throwback Thursday
A classic acronym used to reference an old, but iconic, post.
Ex: “TBT to when we used to send letters rather than instant messages.”
TGIF — Thank God It’s Friday
If you’re a business that operates Monday–Friday, then you’ll know all too well how it feels to finish work on a Friday.
Ex: “It’s been an incredible week at Yuqo, but TGIF!”
TYT — Take Your Time
When you don’t expect an immediate reply, or you want to let readers know that an event won’t be ending for a while.
Ex: “TYT. When you’re ready, one of our customer service assistants will talk you through the different options.”
TF — The F—
If you need to convey a sense of awe or disbelief playfully.
Ex: “TF were we thinking with these uniforms!?”
TFTF — Thanks For The Follow
A shorthand acknowledgement of new followers. It’s used on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Ex: “TFTF, how can we help you today?”
TIL — Today I Learned
A casual acronym for informative or educational posts.
Ex: “TIL that the first bottle of Coca-Cola was sold in 1886.”
TMI — Too Much Information
Although honesty is usually the best policy, sometimes the freedom of social media encourages users to share a little too much information.
Ex: “Karen clearly loves her new cooking set, but the candid photo may be TMI.”
TTYL / TTYN / TTYS — Talk To You Later / Talk To You Never / Talk To You Soon
It depends on the option you pick, but any combination of the “talk to you” acronyms can be used to end a message. In most cases, character saving is the main reason for using TTYL.
Ex: “It was great to see so many fans at the show. I’m off on the next leg of the tour, so I’ll TTYL.”
TXT — Text
Arguably an outdated acronym by today’s standards of WhatsApp, Instagram Stories, and Snapchat. Still useful in the right context.
Ex: “TXT, DM or call. Our customer service team is available Monday–Friday.”
TFW — That Feeling When
Remember what it felt like to unwrap Christmas presents as a kid? Or that buzz of excitement you get when doing something you love? A picture or gif usually accompanies TFW.
Ex: “TFW you realise our winter collection comes with an extra 10% off all existing offers.”
U
U UP — Are You Up?
This acronym has gained a reputation in recent years, but in the right circumstances, it can be used sincerely to check if someone is up and awake.
Ex: “The presentation is in 10 mins, U UP?”
U2 — You Too
Another incredibly useful character-saving acronym. Also the name of a famous band.
Ex: “You look great in those photos from last night!”
Reply: “Thanks, U2!”
UCWAP — Up a Creek Without A Paddle
When everything starts to go wrong, and you cannot see a way out of it.
Ex: “My phone died, the bus was late, and I forgot my house keys. It’s safe to say I was UCWAP last night.”
UAPITA — You Are a Pain In The Ass
Context matters, but this acronym can be used sarcastically or jokingly. It can also, however, be used to address someone who is actually causing problems.
Ex: “UAPITA; stop leaving sarcastic comments on all of my posts.”
UFO — Unidentified Flying Object
While the question of “are we alone in the universe?” remains a hotly debated topic, if you do spot something that cannot be identified, UFO is your go-to acronym.
Ex: “Did you see that thing in the sky last night? Conspiracy Twitter says it was a UFO.”
UOK — Are You Okay?
Straight and to the point, a helpful acronym for checking in on someone.
Ex: “Hey mate, you didn’t make the meeting this morning, UOK?”
UR2K / URT1 / URW — You Are Too Kind / You Are The One / You Are Welcome
Several variations that will undoubtedly come in handy when thanking followers.
Ex: “Thanks to all our new customers for their glowing feedback, UR2K.”
UNTCO — You Need To Chill Out
It’s easy for situations to escalate online, especially when you cannot distinguish the intent of a message or post. If things do start to get out of hand, a friendly UNTCO can help.
Ex: “I appreciate your feedback, but UNTCO. Our customer service team will contact you directly.”
V
VBS — Very Big Smile
If someone compliments you on something you’ve been waiting for them to notice, it would leave you with a VBS.
Ex: “Cannot believe the success of our fall line. VBS right now!”
VWP — Very Well Played
A congratulatory acronym that’s been made popular by the gaming industry, but still just as useful elsewhere.
Ex: “What an incredible round, VWP.”
VFM — Value For Money
This acronym should be a mainstay in any marketer’s arsenal.
Ex: “At Yuqo, we offer VFM on all our services—guaranteed.”
W
W/ — With
If you want to partner with another company or individual, you can either @ them using their social media handles or use W/. Also comes in handy when pressed for characters in a tweet.
Ex: “Come down to our high street store where we’ll be greeting shoppers W/ John Doe, company CEO.”
WUU2 — What are You Up To?
If you need to check in on a coworker, or want to encourage customers to get involved, use the acronym WUU2.
Ex: “To all our new followers, WUU2, and how did you find us?”
WCW — Woman Crush Wednesday
If there is an inspiring female figure that you wish to celebrate, WCW is your chance.
Ex: “Grace Jones is my WCW, so wise and regal!”
WBW — Way Back Wednesday
Similar to TBT, “way-back Wednesday” is a chance to celebrate achievements or accolades from the past.
Ex: “This week’s WBW is the groundbreaking copywriting service we started in 2003.”
WYA — Where You At?
Another informal option for checking the whereabouts of someone on social media.
Ex. “The meeting is in 10 minutes and we still haven’t practised our presentation, WYA Josh?”
WTF — What The F—?
If the disbelief is too much to fathom, a well-placed WTF is the only option.
Ex: “WTF happened to the weather? It’s like the end of the world outside!”
WBU — What About You?
Useful for replying to a comment or engaging in conversation with customers and peers.
Ex: “We think the summer launch has gone incredibly well, WBU?”
WOTD — Word Of The Day
Another effective tool for developing engaging social media content.
Ex: “Today’s WOTD is ‘Nudiustertian’. Do you know what it means?”
WDYMBT — What Do You Mean By That?
Need further clarification and don’t have the characters to waste? WDYMBT is your go-to acronym.
Ex: “I got your message about the next project last night, but the last word, serendipity, confused me. WDYMBT?”
WOM — Word Of Mouth
When information hasn’t been factually proven but is circulating online, many people will refer to it as WOM.
Ex: “WOM is that there’s a sale at Yuqo starting next week. Is this true?”
W00T / WOOT — We Owned the Other Team
While most of the time it pays to be gracious online, you can afford to savour in a very lucky victory or two.
Ex. “Did you see the final sales total? W00T!”
WB — Welcome Back
Whether it’s a “welcome back” after a long social media absence or an extended break from work, WB is short, simple, and effective.
Ex: “After some time away, I’m delighted to WB our operations manager.”
WFM — Works For Me
In keeping with the theme of simplicity, WFM is all that’s needed if you agree with the OP’s reply or message.
WYWH — Wish You Were Here
An endearing acronym typically used between two individuals who are related in some way.
Ex: “It’s a shame you cannot come out and visit. WYWH.”
X
XOXO — Hugs and Kisses
A very informal way to express gratitude or let someone know you care for them.
Ex: “Hope to see you at the Christmas party. XOXO.”
Y
YOLO — You Only Live Once
This acronym is typically followed by a GIF, image, or video that displays an act of incredible courage (or stupidity, depending on your point of view).
Ex: “Figured I’d ask my boss for a 20k pay rise. YOLO.”
YSK — You Should Know
Context is essential, but YSK is typically used as a sarcastic reply to a message or statement. In some cases, it can be used sincerely.
Ex: “Thanks for the advice, but YSK better than anyone what it feels like to write 6,000 words every day.”
YW — You’re Welcome
Another character-saving acronym for showing gratitude and saying thanks.
Ex: “Thanks for helping me out last night with my presentation.”
Reply: “YW. I had fun.”
YT — YouTube
Shorthand for the world’s largest digital media platform.
Ex: “Make sure to check out our YT channel for daily videos.”
YMMV — Your Mileage May Vary
If you have experience or knowledge to share, but want to add a cautionary note for people looking to mimic your actions.
Ex: “I’ve had great success with writing, but unless you can find the right voice, YMMV.”
Z
ZOMG — Oh My God
An exaggeration of the standard OMG. This acronym is reserved for the truly extraordinary.
Ex: “ZOMG, Brad Pitt just came into the office for a meeting!”
ZZZ — Sleeping, Bored, Tired
Whether it is the end of the working week, a long shift, or you are just plain bored, use ZZZ.
Ex: “What a week! I’m ready to do nothing after a killer few days of ZZZ presentations.”
And there you have it—over 100 social media acronyms you can use whenever and wherever they’re most suitable!
