Internet Abbreviations Explained: LOL, BRB, IMO, TBH, IDK, SMH & More
1990s chat-room shortcuts that never really left — LOL to NGL, explained plainly.
In short
What does LOL, BRB, IMO, TBH, IDK, or SMH stand for? Every classic internet abbreviation explained — still used by every generation online.
Cite this page: https://www.whatiswiki.com/classic-internet-abbreviations
Introduction
These predate the idea of “Gen Z slang” entirely — some go back to 1990s chat rooms — and they’re still used constantly by every age group online. If you needed this page, it’s more likely you just forgot one than that it’s actually unfamiliar.
For newer vibe and slang words, see Texting Tones or the full slang dictionary.
The essentials
Each abbreviation links to a full meaning page.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| LOL | Laughing out loud — often a tone softener more than literal laughing. |
| BRB | Be right back. |
| IMO / IMHO | In my opinion / in my humble opinion. |
| TBH | To be honest. |
| IDK | I don’t know. |
| SMH | Shaking my head — disappointment or disbelief. |
| NGL | Not gonna lie — often before a slightly sheepish honest admission. |
| IDC | I don’t care. |
| FYI | For your information. |
| ICYMI | In case you missed it. |
| FR | For real. |
| FOMO | Fear of missing out. |
| YOLO | You only live once — usually before a risky or spontaneous choice. |
| LMAO | Laughing my ass off — stronger than LOL. |
| OMW | On my way. |
| TMI | Too much information — someone overshared. |
| IYKYK | If you know, you know — insider reference. |
| BFFR | Be for real — calling out nonsense. |
| WYD | What are you doing? |
| HBU | How about you? |
| NVM | Never mind. |
| JK | Just kidding. |
| LMFAO | Laughing my freaking/f***ing ass off — stronger than LMAO. |
| ROFL | Rolling on the floor laughing. |
| BTW | By the way. |
| GGs | Good games / well played — plural or casual form of GG. |
| WTF | Expression of shock or disbelief. |
| ILY | I love you. |
| OMG | Oh my God — surprise or emphasis. |
Why these have stayed so consistent
Unlike newer slang, which shifts fast and sometimes deliberately makes no literal sense, these abbreviations are simply shortcuts for common phrases. Because the underlying phrase never goes out of style (“I don’t know” isn’t trendy or dated — it’s just useful), the abbreviation for it doesn’t really age out either.
Key takeaways
- Classic abbreviations like LOL and BRB predate Gen Z and are used across age groups.
- They’re shortcuts for everyday phrases — so they don’t age out like trendy slang.
- LOL is often a softener now, not literal laughing.
- NGL usually precedes a slightly sheepish admission; TBH is more general.
- WYD/WYA and HBU are still common check-in texts.
Frequently asked questions
Are these considered "Gen Z slang"?
No. Most of these predate Gen Z as a generational label and were popularized by earlier chatroom and texting culture in the 1990s and 2000s. They’re used across every generation currently online.
What's the difference between "NGL" and "TBH"?
They’re close in meaning, but NGL usually precedes an admission the speaker feels slightly sheepish about, while TBH is more general and doesn’t carry that same implication.
What does LOL stand for?
Laughing out loud — though today it’s often used as a tone softener even when nobody is literally laughing.
What does SMH mean in texting?
Shaking my head — used to show disappointment or disbelief.
Conclusion
These abbreviations are the stable layer under newer slang — once you know them, jump back to Gen Z or texting tones for the rest. Last updated July 31, 2026.
References
- Merriam-Webster / dictionary coverage of internet abbreviations
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