Social Media Abbreviations
106 abbreviations · part of Texting & Internet Slang Abbreviations
Abbreviations used on social networks, forums and content platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), Reddit, Facebook, YouTube and Discord. They cover messaging (DM, PM), sharing (RT, QT), content labels and warnings (NSFW, CW, TL;DR), recurring hashtags (TBT, OOTD, WCW), Reddit conventions (OP, TIL, AITA) and the tone tags used to signal sarcasm or sincerity. Entries explain where each term appears, how it is used and whether it would be understood outside that platform.
| Abbreviation | Stands for | Description |
|---|---|---|
| /gen | Genuine (tone indicator) | Tone tag signaling that a question or statement is genuine rather than sarcastic, rhetorical or passive-aggressive. |
| /hj | Half-joking (tone indicator) | Tone tag indicating that a message is partly joking and partly serious, as when someone exaggerates a real wish or complaint. |
| /j | Joking (tone indicator) | Tone tag placed at the end of a message to show that it is a joke and should not be taken seriously. |
| /lh | Lighthearted (tone indicator) | Tone tag signaling that a message is playful or lighthearted, usually to soften teasing, mock complaints or exaggerated praise so the reader does not take offense. |
| /nm | Not mad (tone indicator) | Tone tag reassuring the reader that the writer is not angry, used to soften questions or comments that could sound accusatory in text. |
| /pos | Positive connotation (tone indicator) | Tone tag showing that a word which could sound negative is meant positively, as in calling an outfit "insane" or a song "illegal." |
| /s | Sarcasm (tone indicator) | Tone tag added to the end of a message to signal that it is sarcastic and should not be taken literally. |
| /srs | Serious (tone indicator) | Tone tag signaling that a message is meant seriously, often used after a run of jokes so that a sincere statement or request is not dismissed. |
| AITA | Am I the a**hole? | Question posed on Reddit's r/AmItheAsshole, where users describe a conflict and ask strangers to judge whether they behaved badly. |
| Alt | Alternate account | Second social media account used for a different purpose or audience, such as a private account for close friends, a fan account, a meme page or an anonymous profile. |
| AMA | Ask me anything | Interactive Q&A session in which a person invites the public to ask questions, typically on Reddit's r/IAmA. |
| AMOS | Add me on Snapchat | Request to connect on Snapchat, posted in bios, comments and dating profiles, as in "amos: jake_22." It moves a conversation from a public platform to Snapchat's… |
| BTS | Behind the scenes | Content showing how something was made, such as a photo shoot, film, concert or business, posted on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. |
| BYF | Before you follow | Section of a bio, pinned post or linked card explaining what an account posts and who it is for, so potential followers know what to expect before following. |
| CMV | Change my view | Invitation for others to argue against the poster's opinion, from Reddit's r/changemyview. |
| CTTO | Credit to the owner | Tag added to reposted photos, memes or videos acknowledging that the poster is not the creator. |
| CW | Content warning | Notice at the start of a post or video alerting viewers to potentially distressing material, such as violence, illness, eating disorders or self-harm, so they can… |
| DAE | Does anyone else...? | Opens a question asking whether others share an experience, habit or feeling, as in "DAE hate the sound of chewing?" Common in Reddit titles and forum posts seeking… |
| DITL | Day in the life | Video or post documenting a typical day in a person's job, school or routine, popular on TikTok and YouTube. |
| DM | Direct message | Private message sent between users on a social platform such as Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok or Discord, as opposed to a public post or comment. |
| DNI | Do not interact | Statement in a social media bio or pinned post listing the kinds of users the account owner does not want to engage with them, as in "DNI if you're under 18" or "DNI… |
| DP | Display picture | Profile picture on WhatsApp, BlackBerry Messenger and other apps, a term especially common in South Asian, Nigerian and other non-American varieties of English. |
| DYK | Did you know? | Introduces a surprising fact or piece of trivia in social media posts, captions and newsletters, as in "DYK: honey never spoils." Used by brands, museums, schools and… |
| DYOR | Do your own research | Advice to investigate a claim or investment independently rather than relying on others' opinions, common in crypto, investing and online debates. |
| ELI5 | Explain like I'm 5 | Request to explain a complex topic in very simple terms, as if to a young child. |
| ESH | Everyone sucks here | Verdict on r/AmItheAsshole indicating that all parties in the dispute behaved badly. |
| ETA | Edited to add | Marks text added to a post after it was first published, typically answering questions or giving an update, as in "ETA: found my keys, thanks all!" Common on forums… |
| EUC | Excellent used condition | Grades a used item as showing little or no wear, common in marketplace, parent-group and resale-app listings for clothing, baby gear and furniture. |
| F4F | Follow for follow | Offer or request to follow someone's account in exchange for being followed back, used in Instagram, TikTok and Twitter hashtags and comments to grow follower counts… |
| FB | Shorthand for Facebook, the social network owned by Meta, used in conversation and posts ("saw it on FB," "FB Marketplace"). | |
| FBF | Flashback Friday | Hashtag trend for posting old photos or memories on Fridays, the Friday counterpart to TBT (Throwback Thursday). |
| FF | Follow Friday | Twitter tradition of recommending accounts worth following every Friday, using the hashtag #FF or #FollowFriday. |
| FR | Friend request | Request to connect as friends on a social network, especially Facebook, as in "sent you an FR." Also used on gaming platforms such as Steam and Xbox. |
| FS | For sale | Marks an item or property as being offered for sale in forums, classified ads, signs and real estate, as in "FS: road bike." |
| FTFY | Fixed that for you | Reply in which someone quotes another person's comment with words changed to reverse or sharpen its meaning, usually as a joke or a dig. |
| FYP | For You page | TikTok's main algorithmic feed, showing videos selected for each user based on their activity rather than whom they follow. |
| GRWM | Get ready with me | Video format in which a creator does their makeup, hair or outfit while chatting to the camera, as if the viewer were keeping them company. |
| H/T | Hat tip | Credits the person or account that led the writer to a link, story or idea, as in "h/t @username." Used by journalists, bloggers and newsletter writers on X, LinkedIn… |
| IANAL | I am not a lawyer | Disclaimer placed before legal opinions on forums and Reddit to signal that the advice is informal and not professional counsel. |
| IB | Inspired by | Credits the creator who inspired a post, recipe, dance, outfit or design, as in "ib: @username." Common on TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest. |
| ICYMI | In case you missed it | Introduces a reminder or repost of news, content or an announcement that some followers may not have seen. |
| IG | Common shorthand for Instagram, the photo- and video-sharing app owned by Meta. | |
| ISO | In search of | Opens a post by someone looking to buy, borrow or find something, as in "ISO crib" or "ISO roommate." It is common in local buy-sell groups, forums and housing boards. |
| ITT | In this thread | Refers to the conversation happening in the current thread or comment section, usually to summarize or mock it, as in "ITT: people who never worked retail." Common on… |
| L4L | Like for like | Offer to like someone's posts in return for likes on one's own, posted as a hashtag or comment on Instagram and TikTok to boost engagement. |
| LI | Shorthand for LinkedIn, the professional networking platform owned by Microsoft, used in recruiting, sales and career chat ("connect on LI," "LI post"). | |
| LMS | Like my status | Facebook game of the late 2000s and early 2010s in which users promised something, such as a rating or a secret, to anyone who liked their status update. |
| LPT | Life pro tip | Practical tip for everyday life, from Reddit's r/LifeProTips, as in "LPT: freeze grapes to chill wine without watering it down." Used in post titles and comments. |
| LTTP | Late to the party | Admits the writer is discovering something long after it was popular, such as a TV series, album or meme, and apologizes in advance for the outdated enthusiasm. |
| LULZ | Laughs (from LOLs) | Amusement gained at someone else's expense, especially through trolling, pranks or hacking, as in "did it for the lulz." Associated with 4chan and early internet troll… |
| MCM | Man Crush Monday | Weekly hashtag trend for posting a photo of a man the poster admires, often a partner or celebrity, on Mondays. |
| MDNI | Minors do not interact | Bio statement asking users under 18 not to follow, like or reply, usually because the account posts adult, mature or crude content. |
| MFW | My face when | Introduces a reaction image showing the poster's supposed facial expression in a described situation, as in "mfw I see the electricity bill." Born on 4chan image boards… |
| MIRL | Me in real life | Caption pairing a relatable image, GIF or meme with the poster's own experience, as in "MIRL when the Wi-Fi drops." Common on Reddit and Tumblr. |
| Mod | Moderator | User who enforces rules, removes posts and bans rule-breakers in an online community such as a subreddit, Discord server, forum or livestream chat. |
| Moots | Mutuals (mutual followers) | Accounts that follow each other on X, Instagram, Tumblr or TikTok, as in "my moots." The term implies a friendly online relationship rather than a mere follower count. |
| MRW | My reaction when | Caption opener introducing a GIF or image that represents the poster's reaction to a situation, as in "mrw someone spoils the finale." Popular on Tumblr and Reddit in… |
| NAH | No a**holes here | Verdict on r/AmItheAsshole meaning nobody behaved badly; the conflict is a reasonable disagreement or a misunderstanding. |
| NFA | Not financial advice | A disclaimer added to social media posts and videos about investments, especially crypto, signaling that the author is sharing an opinion rather than professional advice. |
| NGMI | Not gonna make it | Pessimistic or mocking judgment that a person, project or investment will fail, the opposite of WAGMI. |
| NP | Now playing | Hashtag or prefix indicating what song, album or podcast the poster is currently listening to, as in "#np Fleetwood Mac - Dreams." Common on Twitter, Last.fm and Discord. |
| NSFL | Not safe for life | Stronger warning than NSFW, used for extremely disturbing content such as graphic violence, severe injuries or death. |
| NSFW | Not safe for work | Label warning that a link, image or post contains material, such as nudity, gore or strong language, that would be inappropriate to view in a public place or at work. |
| NTA | Not the a**hole | Verdict on r/AmItheAsshole meaning the poster acted reasonably and someone else is at fault. |
| NWT | New with tags | Describes clothing or accessories that are unworn and still carry the original retail tags, a top condition grade on resale apps and in thrift listings. |
| OBO | Or best offer | Follows an asking price in classified ads to show that the seller will consider lower offers, as in "$300 OBO." It signals that the price is negotiable. |
| OC | Original content | Content created by the person posting it rather than reposted from elsewhere, labeled "[OC]" in Reddit titles, image boards and art communities. |
| OOTD | Outfit of the day | Tag for a photo or video showing what someone is wearing that day, popular among fashion influencers on Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest. |
| OOTN | Outfit of the night | Tag for a photo or video showing an evening outfit chosen for a party, date, concert or formal event. |
| OP | Original poster | Person who started a thread or posted the content under discussion on Reddit, forums, 4chan or comment sections. |
| OT | Off-topic | Labels a comment or post that departs from the main subject of a thread or channel, as in "OT: anyone know a good mechanic?" Common on forums, mailing lists and Discord… |
| OTD | On this day | Labels a post marking an anniversary or historical event, as in "OTD in 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon." Used by history accounts, museums, sports teams and… |
| PFP | Profile picture | The image shown next to a username on social media, forums, Discord and messaging apps. |
| PM | Private message | Private one-to-one message on a forum, message board or social site, the older counterpart of DM. |
| POTD | Photo of the day | Label for a single highlighted image shared daily, used by photographers, publications and personal accounts. |
| POV | Point of view | On TikTok and Instagram Reels, a caption format ("POV: you're the teacher on the last day of school") that places the viewer in a scenario acted out by the creator. |
| PPU | Pending pickup | Status on Facebook Marketplace and buy-sell groups showing that an item has been claimed and is waiting for the buyer to collect it. |
| PSA | Public service announcement | A message broadcast or published to raise awareness or change behavior on an issue of public interest, such as safety, health or conservation, typically without… |
| QFT | Quoted for truth | Forum convention of quoting someone's post and adding "QFT" to show strong agreement or emphasize its importance. |
| QOTD | Quote of the day | Daily inspirational, funny or thought-provoking quotation shared on social media, classroom boards, newsletters and websites. |
| QT | Quote tweet | Repost on X (Twitter) that adds the user's own comment above the original post, used for commentary, agreement or mockery. |
| RT | Retweet | Reposting another user's post on X (formerly Twitter) to one's own followers, either as a noun or a verb. |
| S4S | Shoutout for shoutout | Agreement between two accounts to promote each other, typically by posting each other's profile or content to their own followers. |
| SC | Snapchat | Shorthand for Snapchat, the disappearing-message and photo app, especially in "add me on SC" or "my SC is in bio." Popular among teens and young adults. |
| SFW | Safe for work | Label confirming that a link, image or post can be opened at work or in public without embarrassment. |
| SM | Social media | Shorthand for social media in marketing, journalism and casual conversation, as in "SM manager," "SM strategy" or "posted it on SM." Common in job listings and… |
| SNS | Social networking service | Generic term for social media platforms, common in South Korea, Japan and East Asian English, as in "posted on SNS" or "SNS marketing." Used in news reports, celebrity… |
| SO | Shout-out | Public mention praising or thanking someone, as in "SO to my coach." Common in captions, comments and livestreams, where creators shout out donors or followers. |
| TBT | Throwback Thursday | Weekly hashtag trend for posting old photos, memories or nostalgic content on Thursdays, especially on Instagram and Facebook. |
| TFW | That feeling when | Opens a caption describing a relatable situation, usually paired with a reaction image or GIF, as in "tfw the bus leaves as you arrive." A staple of meme captions on… |
| TIFU | Today I f***ed up | Opens a story about a personal mistake, usually embarrassing and comic, on Reddit's r/tifu. |
| TIHI | Thanks, I hate it | Reaction to something cursed, unsettling or absurd, such as a bizarre food combination or a strange image. |
| TIL | Today I learned | Introduces a fact the writer just discovered, often surprising or trivia-like. |
| TL | Timeline | The scrolling feed of posts on X (Twitter) or Facebook, as in "my TL is full of election takes." It refers to what a user sees from the accounts they follow. |
| TL;DR | Too long; didn't read | Signals either that a reader skipped a long text or, more commonly today, introduces a short summary at the end or start of a long post. |
| TL;DW | Too long; didn't watch | Video version of TL;DR, used to ask for or provide a short summary of a long video, livestream or podcast. |
| TMW | That moment when | Caption opener describing a relatable or awkward moment, similar to TFW. |
| TT | TikTok | Shorthand for TikTok, the short-video platform owned by ByteDance, used in comments, captions and conversation ("saw it on TT"). |
| TW | Trigger warning | Label alerting readers that content may provoke strong emotional reactions in people with trauma, such as references to abuse, suicide or violence. |
| WAGMI | We're all gonna make it | Optimistic slogan in crypto, NFT and startup communities expressing collective hope for success, especially during market downturns. |
| WCW | Woman Crush Wednesday | Weekly hashtag trend for posting a photo of a woman the poster admires, such as a partner, friend, mother or celebrity, on Wednesdays. |
| WIBTA | Would I be the a**hole? | Hypothetical version of AITA used on r/AmItheAsshole when the poster has not yet acted and wants strangers' judgment before deciding, for example before skipping an… |
| WIWT | What I wore today | Fashion tag on Instagram, TikTok and blogs for posts showing the creator's outfit, similar to OOTD but focused on the act of documenting one's own clothes. |
| YSK | You should know | Introduces useful or important information on Reddit's r/YouShouldKnow, as in "YSK: you can request your credit report free once a year." Often about rights, safety or… |
| YT | YouTube | Shorthand for YouTube, the video platform owned by Google, used in captions, chats, bios and creator talk ("new video on YT," "YT Shorts"). |
| YTA | You're the a**hole | Verdict on r/AmItheAsshole meaning the poster behaved badly in the situation they described. |