E-mail Trivia

The Meaning of All Those Symbols and Shorthand. . . Revealed!!

If you're new to online communications, you may find this summary or "chat" etiquette and shorthands useful.

When you first enter a chat room, most members give a brief greeting, or wave (: : waving : :) and grin (: D )

You can perform just about any action online with words with online choreography (e.g. "walking over to Jenny C giving her a big hug {{ }}")

Typing in all caps is considered shouting, so please spare everyone's ears and your vocal chords.

Individuals online use shorthands in this "faceless" medium to express feelings and show actions or "body language."  You'll find shorthands used in chat, on message boards, in electronic mil -- everywhere!  Tilting your head to the left or turning your screen on its side will help you to see most of the shorthands.

:)   <----See?  Two eyes and a mouth!

Below are some of the most common shorthands.  New faces and abbreviations are constantly being created. If you see one you don't understand, just ask!

Look for these symbols while online and try creating new ones your self.

LOL = Laughing Out Loud

ROTF = Rolling On The Floor (laughing)

AFK = Away From Keyboard

BAK = Back At Keyboard

BRB = Be Right Back

TTFN = Ta-Ta For Now!

WB = Welcome Back

GMTA = Great Minds Think Alike

BTW = By The Way

IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

WTG = Way To Go!

Here is a listing of some of the most popular symbols:

: ) = smile

: D = smile/laughing/big grin

: * =  kiss

; ) =  wink

: X =  my lips are sealed

: P =  sticking out tongue

{ } =  a hug

: ( =  frown

: ' =  crying

O : ) = angel

} : > = devil