Internet slang facts for kids
Internet slang is a special way of talking that people use on the internet. It includes new words that didn't exist before the internet became popular. Examples are words like Wiki and blog.
Sometimes, old words get new meanings online. For example, "mail" now often means email. This creates new ways of speaking, like how "boot" can mean starting a computer, not just a shoe. Also, "link" can mean a connection on a webpage, not just a part of a chain.
Some short forms, called acronyms, were used even before the internet was big. "AFK" means "Away From Keyboard." "IRL" means "In Real Life." These are now common in chat rooms and on instant messenger apps.
People have also made new words to describe things that only happen online:
- To flame means to send rude or unfriendly messages. This often happens in chat rooms, online forums, or emails.
- To ping means to send a small piece of data to another computer. It helps you see how fast the data travels and returns.
Shorthand Words Online
Shorthand is a way to write words more quickly. It makes words shorter and easier to type. It also helps fit more text into small spaces, like on a phone screen.
Internet slang uses many acronyms. These are short forms made from the first letters of words. They are quicker to type than full phrases. Acronyms can also show how someone is feeling or how sure they are about something.
What is Leet Speak?
Leet speak (often written as L33T or 1337) is a special way of writing. It is very common in online games (MMORPGs). People sometimes use it to get around word filters that block rude words.
This language is always changing. New words are made and used all the time. Many words in Leet speak use numbers or symbols instead of letters. Some words even started from typing mistakes that people now use on purpose. Also, some endings, like -age and -ness, are added to words.
The table below shows some numbers and symbols used instead of letters in Leet speak.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 |
8 |
[ |
) |
3 |
|= |
6 |
# |
1 |
_| |
X |
1 |
|v| |
^/ |
0 |
|* |
(_,) |
2 |
5 |
7 |
(_) |
\/ |
\/\/ |
% |
j |
2 |
Images for kids
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This picture shows graffiti with examples of internet slang. "X:)", ":)", and "XD" are emoticons. "LOL" (Laugh Out Loud) and "ROFL" (Rolling On the Floor Laughing) are common acronyms.
See also
In Spanish: Jerga de internet para niños
