None of us can avoid texting, and these days it seems like every time you pop into your text messages there’s some new type of abbreviation in there that leaves you scratching your head for a minute and thinking “what does that mean?”

If you’re like me, you don’t want to get caught responding the wrong way – how embarrassing!

That’s why we’re going to discuss some basics of texting here and give you the 411 on some of the trendiest terms floating around.

Is texting someone the same as talking?

It might seem like you text your bestie more than you actually talk to her, and that’s probably true.

However, despite the convenience that texting gives us, and the ability to discuss last night’s date during our dull quarterly meeting, it’s not the same as actually talking to someone.

When we have an actual face-to-face conversation with someone, we can see their expressions and read their body language, which is something that texting cannot provide.

What is the difference between texting and calling?

When you call someone, you make a connection with them that cannot happen through a series of text messages.

In fact, research shows that hearing someone’s voice helps to build a bond between people and contrary to a common misconception, is not awkward.

Nevertheless, it seems like we all just still prefer texting rather than actually dialing those digits.

Why do we text instead of talk?

Many times it just comes down to the fact that we lead such busy lives.

We want to stay connected to our friends and family, but we actually don’t have the time in the day to sit down and make that phone call.

We can text on our own time and our own terms and feel like we are still maintaining the relationship.

What are the disadvantages of texting?

Despite its convenience, there are certainly many disadvantages to texting over talking.

When we can’t hear someone’s voice or the tone in which they say different words, it can lead to misunderstanding and hurt feelings.

The person receiving our text might interpret it differently than we meant it to be interpreted.

Texting is also not the right place for emotionally-charged or sensitive topics.

What are the pros of texting?

Of course, we wouldn’t all be texting all the time if there weren’t some pros to the method of communication.

We can instantly get our message to someone exactly at the time we think it and not have to worry about remembering it for a later phone call.

There are also some business advantages to texting and it can help us stay connected with co-workers and clients.

Now that you know for sure that there’s no way to get by in today’s world without texting at least some of the time, you’ll want to make sure that you grow comfortable using the lingo that you’re sure to see coming through in those little blue bubbles.

20 popular texting terms to know

Here you will find 20 popular texting terms and acronyms that you’ll surely want to commit to memory.

What does snd mean in text?

If someone says “snd,” you can assume that means they are saying “sound.” Sound is a slang term that means “cool,” “fine, or “nice.”

For example, “her new boyfriend is so snd.”

What does stg mean in text?

The acronym “stg” means “swear to God”.

This is a way that one would express that they are being absolutely truthful -” I stg I didn’t go out with him last week.”

What does shd mean in texting?

“Shd” is the shortened version of the word “should.”

For example, “I shd go to bed soon, but I’m not tired.”

What does yw mean in texting?

“Yw” is simply a quick way to say “you’re welcome” as a reply to someone who thanked you for something.

What does mk mean in text?

It may not seem obvious, but “mk” is a shortened form of the phrase “Okay.”

You usually use it when you want to say “yes” to someone or you agree with what the other person said.

What does 3 mean in texting?

If you see the number “3” in a text, it means that you are being sent a heart.

It is typically prefaced by the “<” symbol so that the 3 looks like the shape of a heart “<3”

What does smd mean in text?

If someone says “smd” you can be assured that they are meaning it in a rude way. This acronym generally stands for the insult “suck my d**k.”

What does fs mean in text?

“Fs” simply means “for sure.”

It would be used in the context or something that you agree with, such as “are you going to the bar tonight?” “fs!”

What does wym mean in texting?

This acronym is usually used if you want to express misunderstanding or need clarification.

It is short for “what you mean?” and literally takes the place of the expression “what do you mean?”

What does yh mean in text?

“Yh” is another one on the list that means “yes,” or “yeah” or “yeah-huh.” It is a quick response to something you agree with.

What does abs mean in text?

In texting, “abs” is the shortened form of saying “absolutely!”

“Are you coming to the party tonight?” “Abs! I wouldn’t miss it!”

What does mb mean in text?

If you want to apologize in a more casual way than saying “I’m sorry,” use the acronym “mb” to say “my bad” instead.

What does alr mean in text?

“Alr” can have two different meanings. In texting, it most often means “a little respect,” but on TikTok, Snapchat, or Instagram it usually means “alright.”

Look for other context in the conversation to see which one applies.

What does ard mean in text?

This term can also be used in several ways as variations of the word “alright.”

It can be used as an affirmation, like “ard man!,” to describe that something was satisfactory, “the sushi last night was ard,” or to confirm that something will happen “I’m ready… ard, let’s do this!”

What does fwh mean in text?

This is a slang term for joking or messing around with a person and typically means “f**k with him/her.”

For example, “I didn’t want to fwh so I didn’t tell her what he said.”

What does imy mean in text?

If someone texts you “imy,” it means that they really want to see you again soon.

It is the shortened form of saying “I miss you.”

What does jw mean in text?

“Jw” is short for “just wondering” and is used when you want to ask a question about something.

For example, “I was jw if you were free to join me for coffee tomorrow?”

What does kys mean in text?

This term is a slang term that is used as a taunt or form of harassment to another person. It stands for “kill yourself.”

We put this one in so that you would know what it means if you receive it.

Please note that it is never cool or OK to promote suicide, even jokingly.

As an alternative (that I like better!), a lot of people now use this one to mean “keep yourself safe.”

What does nd mean in texting?

The acronym “nd” is a shortened form of saying “and” in texting and other forms of social media.

Use it to join words or phrases or as a way of changing the conversation to something else.

I hope you enjoyed this quick tutorial and feel better about using some of the more popular terms you’ll see in texting and social media.

Have another meaning for a term you see here or one that you’d like to add to the list?

Leave me a comment below with your thoughts and ideas. I love hearing from you!

Until next time…

Cheers Lovelies!