Sir David Attenborough has explained some of the natural world’s greatest wonders. 
But even he struggles with the many abbreviations that make up modern communication. 
The Blue Planet and Dynasties narrator, 92, revealed he has to ask his granddaughters about the shortened words used for speed in messaging and social media. 
“I can’t think in the way people who use tablets do, I can’t use that kind of language, I can’t use that kind of spelling” he told The Arts Hour on BBC World Service. 
And he is far from alone, so here is your essential guide to some of the most-used and most baffling abbreviations around... 
LOL One of the first text abbreviations to emerge from instant messaging, it is often mistaken for “lots of love” but is “laugh out loud”. 
OMG Now part of common speech, this simply means “oh my god”. 
ILY Careful on this one, it means “I love you”. 
TBH Often voted one of the most over-used and annoying phrases, it’s hardly a surprise, “to be honest”. 
TBT If you hashtag old pictures posted on social media it’s probably for “Throwback Thursday”. 
TMI It’s time to stop talking when you get this. It stands for “too much information”. 
IKR When you, like, totally know what someone’s talking about - “I know, right”. 
IDC The abbreviated version of a W sign with your hands and huffing “whatever”, this means “I don’t care”. 
Baffled by text-speak like OMW or IRL? No need to worry (Image: Getty Images) 
NSFW If you get a message with this on, be very careful... it’s “not safe for work” and is a warning not to open it if you are around others in the office. 
FTW Want to be encouraging (or sarcastic)? Then put this at the end of a message. It’s “for the win”, meaning something is good (or really bad if you’re being sarcy). 
IMO People may not care but it rarely stops anyone saying “in my opinion”. 
OMW Thoroughly useful abbreviation for those running late - “on my way”. 
LMAO The extreme cousin of LOL, this is “laughing my ass off”. 
FOMO We’ve all had it, the feeling of doom when we’re convinced others are out having fun without us. And now there’s a shortcut for “fear of missing out”. 
JOMO But then again, that’s not always a bad thing. You may have “joy of missing out” instead. 
TLDR For the more long-winded, things may be “too long, didn’t read”. 
AFAIK Sit right on the fence with this one – “as far as I know”. 
IYSWIM Nope, nothing to do with your swimming ability, “if you see what I mean”. 
SMH Tutting by text, it’s “shaking my head”. 
BFF This one spawned an array of merchandise aimed at “best friends forever”. 
BTW Just as an aside, this is “by the way”. 
IRL If you thought everything was “in real life”, think again. This is to clarify if something took place in person. 
HBD means 'happy birthday' (Image: Getty/Blend Images) 
HBD It’s hardly a rousing song but at least they’re saying “happy birthday”. 
HMU Want someone to get in touch? Then you’re asking them to “hit me up”. 
PPL When in doubt, remove all the vowels - this means “people”. 
OOTD One for the fashion fans, this is your “outfit of the day”. 
AMA Could be a dangerous statement... “ask me anything”. 
NM Usually the answer when you ask someone what they’re up to – “not much”. 
NVM Abbreviation of a placation - “never mind”. 
JK Use to avoid offence – “just kidding” or “joke”. 
NGL If you’re telling the truth, then you’re “not gonna lie”. 
YOLO Turns out James Bond was wrong, “you only live once”. 
OFC This is simply short for “of course”. 
BRB Like the shop sign – “be right back”. 
GTG Or not, with “got to go”. 
AML For someone special, this is “all my love”. 
WYD? Joey from Friends liked a “How you doin?” but this “What you doing?” has a few less connotations. 
ATM You might change your mind but “at the moment” this is what you think. 
NBD Doesn’t really matter if you don’t know this one, it’s “no big deal”. 
TIL Found out a mind-blowing fact? This one’s for you – “today I learned”. 
KK You’d think “OK” was already short enough, but KK means the same. Just don’t add another one... 
K Also means “OK” but usually used if someone is annoyed with whoever they send it to. 
NTS “Note to self”, stop using abbreviations. 
PDA For smooching couples on the bus having a “public display of affection”. 
ICYMI Never miss out on a friend’s big moment with an “in case you missed it”. 
WTF Impolite version of “what the fudge” – to show shock or confusion. 
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