{"id":25387,"date":"2013-06-04T14:42:41","date_gmt":"2013-06-04T21:42:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.mcafee.com\/?p=25387"},"modified":"2025-08-28T00:15:40","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T07:15:40","slug":"decode-teen-slang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/family-safety\/decode-teen-slang\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Decode the Slang Your Teen Uses Online"},"content":{"rendered":"

No, you haven\u2019t entered the Twilight Zone. The teen slang and texting acronyms really are changing that<\/em> fast. Slang is part of growing up and naturally emerges as a distinguishing mark of teens. But in today\u2019s digital hangouts\u2014where pictures, posts, and videos go viral with a click, slang is amplified. While some of the acronyms, phrases, and slang are funny and even clever, some terms have become online codes designed to keep parents in the dark.<\/p>\n

Latest Slang<\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s the latest in online speak you may see in your teens texts, posts, or tweets:<\/p>\n

YRIK:<\/strong> This stands for Yeah, Right, I Know. This simply means, \u201cI\u2019m in agreement with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

YOLO<\/strong>: This is an acronym for You Only Live Once. Sounds inspiring at first glance but YOLO is a term used for an unwise decision\u2014or an excuse<\/em> for an unwise decision\u2014such as cutting class.<\/p>\n

Dougie:<\/strong> The term \u201cdougie\u201d comes from the name of 80s early 90s Hip Hopper Doug-E-Fresh. It means to have a cool or hip style. It\u2019s also a kind of dance.<\/p>\n

Swag: <\/strong>Swag, or swagger, refers to a person\u2019s style, coolness, and confidence.<\/p>\n

TMS:<\/strong> Too Much Swag. This is a compliment and means someone is exceptional in the swag department.<\/p>\n

TBH:<\/strong> To Be Honest<\/p>\n

YW:<\/strong> You\u2019re Welcome<\/p>\n

IGS:<\/strong> I Guess So<\/p>\n

Born Stunna:<\/strong> Someone born with a lot of material things and flaunts it.<\/p>\n

Fo\u2019 Shizzle:<\/strong> A fun term that means \u2018for sure!\u2019<\/p>\n

Inked Up: <\/strong>This means to have tattoos.<\/p>\n

Off the Chain<\/strong>: Something that\u2019s really, really fun such as a party.<\/p>\n

NOOB:<\/strong> A noob is someone who is on the outside looking in when it comes to pop culture, tech terms, or any kind of current trend.<\/p>\n

Screepy<\/strong>: This word is a blend of \u201cScary\u201d and \u201cCreepy.\u201d<\/p>\n

EPIC FAIL:<\/strong> There\u2019s a fail, which is a just that\u2014something that went wrong. Then there\u2019s the Epic Fail, which is a fail of huge proportions.<\/p>\n

BRB: <\/strong>\u00a0Be Right Back<\/p>\n

SMH:<\/strong> Shaking My Head<\/p>\n

POD:<\/strong> Passed out Drunk<\/p>\n

4YEO:<\/strong> For Your Eyes Only (usually a sexting term).<\/p>\n

MOS:<\/strong> Mom Over Shoulder; PRW<\/strong>: Parents Are Watching or PIR<\/strong>: Parents In Room<\/p>\n

LMIRL:<\/strong> Lets Meet In Real Life<\/p>\n

TDTM:<\/strong> Talk Dirty To Me<\/p>\n

HATER:<\/strong> A hater is someone who expresses anger or jealously towards another person or group. A hater online may intentionally (and often anonymously) post, comment, and share inappropriate content with the goal of creating viral dissention and divide.<\/p>\n

Volumes of online slang, phrases, and acronyms exist and new ones emerge every minute. Here are a few online slang tools you can use to decode and stay in the loop.<\/p>\n