The Text Acronyms Texans Are Secretly Googling

I used to think I was elite at internet slang.

I mean, I grew up on AIM and Myspace. I was out here dropping “BRB,” “LOL,” and “TTYL” like it was a second language. So why does it suddenly feel like I need a translator just to read a group chat?

Texans Are Still Trying to Decode These Text Acronyms

I’ve written before about slang words constantly evolving, but this one really drives it home.

A new study from word experts at Unscramblerer.com analyzed Google search data and found that Texans are actively looking up the meanings of texting acronyms, like, a lot of them!

Which means it’s not just you, me, or that one friend who refuses to ask what anything means, it’s basically the entire state. Which is a little comforting.

Why These Text Acronyms Are So Confusing

Part of the reason these acronyms are so tricky is because they don’t always mean the same thing anymore.

Some have multiple meanings depending on who’s using them, where you see them, or what app you’re on. Others have completely changed definitions thanks to social media trends.

READ MORE: The Two Words Only El Paso Understands

So even if you think you know what something means, there’s a good chance it means something totally different now.

Cool cool cool, right?

The Text Acronyms Texans Keep Googling

Based on search trends, these are the texting acronyms Texans are trying to figure out the most right now.

Some are familiar, some are newer, and a few might make you feel like you’ve officially lost touch.

One of the more interesting takeaways from the study is that people aren’t just confused, they’re quietly confused.

Search data shows that instead of asking what something means, most people are just Googling it mid-conversation hoping no one notices! Which totally sounds like something I would do!

READ MORE: The Most Googled Slang Words Texans Looked Up 

The study also pointed to something kind of funny, using too many acronyms can actually make messages come across as low effort. In some cases, that can lead to fewer replies or shorter conversations overall.

So while texting shortcuts might be fast, typing things out might actually get you better responses.

At the end of the day, this whole thing is a little humbling. Because if you grew up on AIM like I did, you probably thought we were the generation that mastered abbreviations. Now, we’re over here Googling what everyone else is saying!