Internet Culture

Internet Slang & Abbreviations Guide

Don't get left behind in the group chat. Here is what those letters actually mean.

EM
EnglishMeet Team
Nov 24, 2025 ยท 5 min read

Native speakers often type in a completely different way than they write formally. If you see "IDK TBH", don't panic. It's just shorthand.

1. The Classics

LOL

Laughing Out Loud. Used when something is funny.

OMG

Oh My God. Used for surprise or shock.

BRB

Be Right Back. Used when stepping away from the keyboard.

IDK

I Don't Know.

2. Opinion & Discussion

3. Modern Slang (Gen Z)

Trending Terms:

  • Ghosting: Suddenly stopping communication with someone.
  • Tea: Gossip. (e.g., "Spill the tea!")
  • Salty: Being upset or bitter about something minor.
  • Cap / No Cap: Lie / No Lie. (e.g., "That pizza was the best, no cap.")

4. Professional Chat (Slack/Teams)

Even at work, some abbreviations are common.

Practice Chatting

The best way to learn slang is to use it. Join the text chat channels on EnglishMeet and start typing!

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