I don't know about you but I'm often confused by IM speak. Maybe it's my age or I've just not bothered to keep up to date with the latest acronyms. Either way, with IM use at work becoming ever more popular it's important to keep up to date.
IM speak has been around for a long time and each year there are more acronyms to keep up with. I am old enough to remember when text message functions started on mobile phones; with a limited number of characters per text and each text costing around 10 pence, you wanted to get your money's worth!
As many social media platforms limit the number of characters per post and we all lead busier lives, it seems IM speak is here to stay.
This Ultimate Guide is designed to help you, and me, IM in English with confidence.
Instant message in English at work
Messages bounce around the office all day long. A decision needs to be made quickly, you're heading from one meeting to the next and need to ask a question in a rush, or you're working from home and want a speedy catch up with a colleague.
What do all these situations have in common...speed. The instant message is used instead of email for this reason. Within this message format we can be even faster by using acronyms meaning we don't have to type as much. The problem with this is if you receive a message and don't understand the acronym. The message isn't faster, it's slower because you need to work it out or ask. I have this problem with messages from Gen Z relatives, sometimes I can't figure out what they are talking about!
I've collected some of the most commonly used acronyms, researched what they stand for, and crafted some example sentences so you can see how they work in real life.
Top 25 IM acronyms
DM
Direct Message (or personal message)
Used when you want to communicate with someone in a space that isn't open to everyone eg
"If you're interested in this offer send me a DM."
"DM me with your address and I'll send a sample out to you."
TBH
To Be Honest
Used when you want to tell someone what you think eg
"TBH this job isn't what I expected it to be."
"I'm not sure I like the last slide of the presentation TBH."
BRB
Be Right Back
When we're working remotely it can be difficult to know whether someone is ignoring us or just not sitting at their desk. If you need to step away mid-conversation you can use this eg
"BRB just need to let the dog out."
"Doorbell, BRB."
LOL
Laugh Out Loud
We can use this instead of a laughing emoji to express emotion when we cannot see someone face to face eg
"Your comment in the meeting made me LOL."
"LOL you're so right!"
TTYL
Talk To You Later
A way of ending a conversation without saying bye eg
"I have to go into a meeting now, TTYL."
"TTYL, I need to work on a presentation for tomorrow."
'Later' in this acronym can mean later in the day or later in the week. We don't tend to say exactly when 'later' will be.
GTG
Got To To
Another way of ending a conversation instead of saying bye eg
"My boss is calling, GTG."
"GTG now, training session."
LMK
Let Me Know
"The meeting is at 4pm, LMK if you can make it."
"You are assigned to the first part of the presentation, LMK if I can assist."
IDK
I Don't Know
"IDK if you have seen the updated requirements..."
"Have you seen the email from our boss? IDK how to answer."
NP
No Problem
Quite often used in response when someone says "thanks for helping" - "NP" or "YW" (you're welcome) would be a good way to reply.
TY or Thx
Thank You
"TY for helping at the charity bake sale."
"Thx for the information."
SMH
Shaking My Head
Used in disbelief at something.
"Can you believe what she said in the meeting? SMH"
"SMH in frustration at this meeting."
BTW
By The Way
When you want to change the subject eg
"BTW did you know that the sales director is coming to visit next week?"
"BTW are you coming to the town hall meeting tomorrow?"
FWIW
For What It's Worth
To give your opinion about something eg
"FWIW I think the new design looks great!"
"FWIW I think you should apply for that job."
ICYMI
In Case You Missed It
To update someone on something eg
"ICYMI the lunch meeting has been moved to 12:30pm."
"ICYMI the venue for our team building has been decided."
IMO
In My Opinion
To say what you think in a direct way.
"IMO we should go with the red background for the presentation."
"IMO we need to invite more people because not everyone will show up."
NVM
Never Mind
You have asked someone a question, but no longer need the answer.
"NVM I found out what I needed to know from Sally at lunch."
"NVM Emma has emailed the figures over to me."
AMA
Ask Me Anything
To be helpful eg
"It's your first week so feel free to AMA."
"AMA you need to know about this department."
TMI
Too Much Information
When you find out more than you wanted to know eg
"She told me all the details of her child's illness, TMI."
"I didn't need to know that, TMI!"
YOLO
You Only Live Once
When you want to take a risk on something eg
"I decided to take a year off and travel around Australia, YOLO."
"I quit my job and started my own business, YOLO."
IMHO
In My Humble Opinion
To give your opinion even though it might not be what others want to hear eg
"IMHO I think we should consider moving that customer to our distributor."
"IMHO I think we should look at changing the structure of the team."
WYD
What (are) You Doing?
Used more in personal conversations but you might see this in informal messages at work eg
"WYD at the weekend?"
"WYD about the sales order problem?"
HBU
How About You?
You want to ask someone for their ideas eg
"I've signed up for the training session next week, HBU?"
"I'm going to Toby's leaving party, HBU?"
FYI
For Your Information
To tell someone something for which they do not need to reply eg
"FYI I'm going to be out of the office next week."
"FYI Sam called by this morning to look at your designs, he thought they were great!"
AFK
Away From Keyboard
Particularly useful when you are working remotely eg
"AFK for 30 minutes - lunch."
"AFK - back in 10."
Ping
To send someone a message or notification to get their attention.
The notification might come in with the sound 'ping', hence the name.
The future of IM's
My feeling is that IM speak is here to stay and as language continues to change and evolve, as it always does, we may well see more acronyms popping up. Life is hectic so if we can speed up our IM's why not do it. We just have to keep ourselves up to date.
I hope you are a little more clued up on IM speak now.
Why not pick a few acronyms you think you could use and give them a try?
Maybe bookmark this page for easy reference next time you receive an IM.
Leave a comment and let me know your experience of IM's at work.
Click here to talk to me about Business English coaching.
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