The Comprehensive Guide to Internet Jargon

Ever found yourself puzzled while browsing a specialized forum or website, unable to understand the terminology being used? Welcome to the evolving landscape of the internet, where users have developed their own unique vocabulary to better express themselves. In this guide, we’ll decode some of these terms for you.

Many of these terms originated from gaming communities playing multiplayer online games. These gamers often use short phrases and abbreviations to quickly communicate during intense gameplay, or to express their geeky personalities. Let’s dive into the meanings of these 40+ terms.

If you’re in a hurry, you can check out the summary table below for a quick reference.

Quick Reference Table for Internet Jargons

Below is a concise table summarizing all the internet slang and abbreviations discussed earlier.

Troll

A ‘Troll’ is someone who enjoys stirring the pot, either by acting like a know-it-all or a critic. They often leave provocative or unrelated comments in forums to intentionally disturb others. However, not all trolls are malicious; some may be comedians aiming to entertain rather than frustrate.

Trollolol

This term is used by people who recognize that trolling is happening and are amused by it, although they may not be participating themselves.

kthxbai

This shorthand stands for ‘okay, thank you, bye‘ and is typically used when someone wants to disengage from a conversation. It’s a quicker way to say ‘I’m done here’ without using many words.

AFK

AFK stands for Away From Keyboard, indicating that the person is temporarily unavailable.

Imba

Short for Imbalanced, ‘Imba’ is often used to describe something in a game that is excessively powerful. The term can also apply to real-life scenarios, like ‘Skydiving from space is imba.’

Leet

Originating from the word ‘elite,’ ‘Leet’ signifies excellence or proficiency in a particular area. For instance, calling yourself a ‘leet gamer’ means you’re highly skilled. The term is sometimes spelled as 1337, using numbers and symbols to replace letters: H1, |-|0\/\/ 4R3 Y0U D01|\|9?

GG

This abbreviation stands for Good Game and is commonly used to concede defeat in an online game. Some players, confident of their impending victory, may use it prematurely to taunt their opponents.

Taunt

Taunting is the act of provoking or irritating someone in-game, often by labeling them as inexperienced or using offensive language. It’s a psychological tactic employed by gamers to unsettle their opponents.

Get on My Level

This phrase is used to challenge an opponent to improve their skills to match your own, effectively serving as a form of taunt.

BM

BM is an acronym for Bad Manner, typically used to describe someone who loses their temper and starts making unrelated, offensive remarks.

RL

RL stands for Real Life, referring to activities or interactions that occur outside the digital world. For example, ‘I sold it to my RL friend.’

Epic

The term ‘Epic’ is used to describe something exceptionally cool or awe-inspiring. It’s essentially another word for ‘awesome.’

BURN!

The term ‘Burn’ gained popularity from Kelso in That 70’s Show. It’s used when someone’s comment backfires on them, serving as a more intense version of the old-school ‘ouch.’

Hardcore

‘Hardcore’ describes something that is extremely challenging or intense. For instance, ‘Purchasing a $500 keyboard is so hardcore.’

Noob

The term ‘Noob’ is derived from ‘newbie,’ and it describes someone who is new to a particular game or activity.

Nerfed

‘Nerfed’ refers to something that has been weakened or made less effective. For example, ‘The new graphic card is a nerfed but more affordable version of an older model.’

Buffed

‘Buffed’ is the antonym of ‘nerfed,’ used to describe something that has been enhanced or strengthened.

Pwned

‘Pwned’ is a slang term for ‘owned,’ used to describe outperforming or dominating someone or something. It’s sometimes used as an alternative to the word ‘defeat.’

WP

WP is an abbreviation for Well Played. It’s a way to express admiration for something well done. For instance, ‘WP to [smartphone company] for creating such an innovative smartphone.’ It’s a modern take on the classic ‘Touché.’

Lag

‘Lag’ is often used to describe something that is extremely slow. While it’s a standard English word, it’s applied in various contexts. For example, ‘The lag in shipping cost me thousands of dollars.’

TL;DR

This stands for Too Long; Didn’t Read. It’s often used sarcastically to suggest that a piece of content could have been summarized more succinctly.

IKR

IKR stands for ‘I Know, Right?’ and is commonly used in response to statements like ‘How awesome is that!’

IDK

IDK is an acronym for ‘I Don’t Know’, often used when quick communication is needed, especially in gaming contexts.

GLHF

GLHF represents Good Luck, Have Fun. It can be used genuinely or sarcastically, depending on the situation.

RQ

RQ is short for Rage Quit, a term originating from gamers who exit a game in frustration without showing sportsmanship. It can also describe someone giving the silent treatment out of anger.

You Mad?

‘You Mad?’ is a phrase often used to provoke someone further after they’ve already become upset. It’s derived from internet memes.

Jelly

‘Jelly’ is slang for ‘jealous’ and is used as a substitute for the word ‘jealous’ in various contexts.

Uber

‘Uber’ is used as a substitute for the words ‘super’ or ‘very’. For instance, ‘That’s uber cool!’

Srs Bsns

‘Srs Bsns’ is shorthand for ‘Serious Business’. It’s often used to describe someone who is taking something more seriously than others might expect.

LOL

If you’re new to the Internet, LOL stands for Laughing Out Loud. It’s a quick way to express amusement.

ROFL

ROFL is an extension of LOL and stands for Rolling On the Floor Laughing. It’s used to indicate something is extremely funny.

LMAO

LMAO is another variant of LOL and ROFL, standing for Laughing My Ass Off.

TTYL

TTYL is an acronym for Talk To You Later and is often used as a casual way to say goodbye. However, sometimes people don’t actually return.

BRB

BRB stands for Be Right Back. It’s a quick way to let someone know you’ll return shortly, although that’s not always the case.

BBL

BBL is similar to BRB and stands for Be Back Later. It’s a more indefinite timeframe, somewhere between TTYL and BRB.

IIRC

IIRC is an acronym for If I Remember Correctly. It’s a commonly used term that has been abbreviated for convenience.

IINM

IINM stands for If I’m Not Mistaken and is used in a similar context to IIRC.

IMHO

IMHO is an acronym for In My Humble Opinion. Sometimes, it’s simplified to just IMO, omitting the ‘humble’ part.

GTG

GTG is often used right before signing off and stands for Got To Go. It’s a quick way to say you’re leaving.

IDC

IDC is shorthand for I Don’t Care. It’s a blunt way to express indifference.

AFAIK

AFAIK stands for As Far As I Know. It’s a useful term to preface a statement, similar to IIRC or IINM.

BTW

BTW is an acronym for By The Way, often used to introduce a new topic or piece of information.

TBH

TBH is widely used online and stands for To Be Honest. It’s a way to preface a statement where you’re about to give your honest opinion.