Cool Internet Acronyms

These acronyms are used in text chat by young people today (in 2022) and it's useful to know if you have to text with people in English! Note that often these acronyms are in lower case, which are small letters, nobody puts them in upper case in casual conversation. But formally acronyms should be upper case, which are big letters.

ftw - For the win

For the win is something you say to indicate you approve of something or you think that something either has been successful or has the potential to be successful going into the future.

Dale: Hey I got an ice-cream, it's delicious.

Derek: Great! Ice-creams ftw!

imo - In my opinion

This one is very straight forward and you say it before giving an opinion on something.

imo the new Rosalía album is better than her last album.

ngl - Not gonna lie

You would use this before giving a hot take, unpopular opinion or admitting something.

ngl I didn't really love your new song.

tbh - To be honest

This is used in exactly the same way as not gonna lie, you say it before giving a hot take etcetera.

tbh I think you should apologise to Derek.

fw - F*ck with

If you f*ck with something then you like it a lot, I f*ck with that just means that you like it, easy.

I fw the new Rosalía album

tl;dr - Too late, didn’t read

This is used to summarise an article or video in one sentence if you can't be bothered reading it.

tl;dr he absolutely loved the new Rosalía album.

lmk - Let me know

You use this to ask someone to respond to you or to indicate that you are interested in or waiting for their response.

lmk if you can come to my party

ikr - i know right

This is used to agree with someone, you say 'I know right', easy.

Dale: Ice cream is great.

Derek: ikr!

smh - Shake my head

This is used to express disapproval, just the same way that you shake your head in real life

My mom won't let me go to the party smh

nvm - Nevermind

Nevermind, nevermind what I just said. This is used in the same way as 'forget it', it's not important and you can say it when you genuinely think it's not important to talk about something or when you are disappointed in the way the other person is receiving you.

I really think the moon is glowing purple tonight and I just feel so amazing on nights... nvm