Nothing makes you feel your age quite like getting a text that might as well be written in hieroglyphics. A series of little cartoon yellow faces can have more meaning than an entire Shakespeare passage. It would be easy to mistake or overlook a slyly veiled cry for help.
Therefore, as a fellow member of the “I remember when phones had cords” club, I thought it might be useful to decode the ever-evolving digital lingo of 2025 for my 50+ ladies. šµš½
Basic Shortcuts
FR ā For real. As in, “That guy is 53? FR?” Yes, skepticism is alive and well in 2025.
NGL ā Not gonna lie. The preface to uncomfortable truths. “NGL, I checked your Instagram before our date.”
IMO/IMHO ā In my opinion/In my humble opinion. Because we all have them, and they’re rarely humble.
IYKYK ā If you know, you know. The equivalent of a knowing wink emoji.
TBH ā To be honest. Often followed by something painfully honest. “TBH, those jeans are doing you no favors.”
IRL ā In real life. Because in 2025, we need to specify when we’re talking about actual reality.
W ā Win. “Getting matched with someone who can hold a conversation? W.”
L ā Loss. “He showed up wearing socks with sandals. Massive L.”
IG ā Instagram, not “I guess” (which confused me for longer than I’d care to admit).
Advanced Abbreviations
These abbreviations show how text language continues to evolve, with new shorthand developing to express nuanced meanings or serve specific communication needs. Some you may find more in online comment sections such as GRWM. Use these abbreviations only with recipients who are also in the know.
DYK – “Did you know” – Used when sharing a fact or piece of information
ISTG – “I swear to God” – Used to emphasize a point or express frustration
NMS – “Not my style” – Used to express disinterest or disapproval of something
GRWM – “Get ready with me” – Originally from social media content where people show their preparation routine
FYSA – “For your situational awareness” – Often used in professional contexts to share information without requiring action
HMU – “Hit me up” – An invitation to contact someone
IJBOL – “I just burst out laughing” – Similar to LOL but implies a stronger reaction
ASL – “As hell” – Used as an intensifier (e.g., “I’m tired asl”)
OOMF – “One of my followers/friends” – Used to reference someone without naming them directly
LMK – “Let me know” – Requesting information or a decision
OFC – “Of course” – Affirmation or agreement
WDYM – “What do you mean” – Asking for clarification
AYT – “Are you there” – Checking if someone is still available in the conversation
FWIM – “From what I’m given” or “from what I remember” – Used when offering information based on limited context
CMV – “Change my view” – Often used when stating a potentially controversial opinion but showing openness to other perspectives
IANAD – “I am not a doctor” – Used when giving health-related advice but disclaiming professional expertise
DNI – “Do not interact” – Used on social media to indicate certain groups should not engage with the content
Dating App Terminology (because this is a blog for Old Maids)
The dating landscape keeps changing, and with it, the vocabulary. Here are some terms that might pop up in your swiping adventures:
Green flags ā Positive signs that someone might be worth pursuing. The opposite of red flags. “He asked questions about my interests instead of talking about himself ā green flag!”
Soft launch ā Subtly introducing a new relationship on social media without explicitly announcing it. “She soft launched her new boyfriend with a photo showing just his arm around her shoulders.”
Situation ā A relationship that lacks definition. “We’ve been seeing each other for three months, but it’s still just a situation.”
Talking stage ā The period when you’re regularly communicating but haven’t defined the relationship. “We’re still in the talking stage, but I’m hopeful.”
Beige flag ā Neither a red flag nor a green flag but something slightly off-putting or boring. “His entire personality seems to be golfing. Definite beige flag.”
Haunting ā When someone who ghosted you suddenly starts engaging with your social media. “He hasn’t texted in three weeks but keeps watching my Stories. Classic haunting.”
Main character energy ā Confidence and self-assurance, as if you’re the protagonist of your own movie. And honey, you are.
The Evolution of Emojis
Let’s face it ā emojis are no longer just cute pictures we toss into texts. They’ve developed their own complex language rules, cultural significance, and most fascinatingly, their meanings have dramatically evolved over time. What started as simple visual cues have transformed into nuanced communication tools with layers of meaning that would make even linguists raise an eyebrow š¤Ø.
The most fascinating aspect of emoji evolution is that it happens organically, through millions of users collectively deciding to shift meaningāproving that language, even in digital pictograph form, remains a living, breathing entity shaped by its users.
š
- Original meaning (2010s): Simple happiness or friendliness
- Current meaning (2025): The slight smirk is seen as passive aggression, forced politeness, or thinly-veiled irritation
- Example in use: “Thanks for canceling our plans at the last minute š” (Translation: I am definitely not happy about this)
š
- Original meaning: Death, danger, or something frightening
- Current meaning: “I’m dead” from laughter, extreme amusement
- Example in use: “Your dating profile pic with that fish š” (Translation: This is so funny I can’t handle it)
š„
- Original meaning: Actual fire or danger
- Current meaning: this is controversial/causing drama
- Example in use: “She posted that right after he announced his engagement š„” (Translation: This is causing drama)
šļø
- Original meaning: Literally looking or seeing
- Current meaning: “I notice something suspicious,” “I’m paying attention,” or “there’s hidden meaning here”
- Example in use: “He’s been liking all her photos from 2019 šļø” (Translation: This behavior is suspicious and worth noting)
š§¢
- Original meaning: Literally a hat
- Current meaning: “Cap” means lying or exaggeration; “no cap” means “no lie” or “I’m being honest.ā Often used with š« to create “no cap” (š«š§¢)
- Example in use: “This is the best date I’ve been on in years š«š§¢” (Translation: I’m seriously not exaggerating)
š
- With sad news: Genuine sadness or heartbreak
- With funny content: Laughing so hard you’re crying
- With overwhelming news: Emotional overload (positive or negative)
- Generational divide: Primarily means “hilarious” to Gen Z, more often means actual sadness to their elders
- Example of ambiguity: “I just saw what happened š” could mean either devastation or amusement depending on context
š
- Original meaning: Silliness or playfulness
- Current meaning: Forced positivity during stress, passive aggression, or “everything is fine when it’s clearly not,ā internally screaming.
- Example in use: “Third meeting scheduled for what could have been an email š” (Translation: I’m maintaining composure while frustrated)
āØ
- Original meaning: Literal sparkles, stars, or something shiny
- Current meaning: Used to emphasize or elevate words, often sarcastically
- Positioning matters:
- Around a word: Emphasis (“I’m āØthrivingāØ” often means the opposite)
- At end of message: General positivity or manifesting energy
- With self-care terms: Often indicates ironic wellness culture
- Example in use: “Living my āØbest lifeāØ while working 60 hours this week” (Translation: This is clearly not my best life)
Emoji Updates
When communicating with younger generations, be aware of the generational divide around the shifting meaning of certain emojis.
š Face with Tears of Joy vs. š Skull
- Traditional usage: šš¤£ to indicate laughter
- Modern usage: š has largely replaced š which is now considered “cheugy” (outdated)
- Example of usage: āOMG LOL šā
ā¤ļø Red Heart vs. š¤š¤š¤ Alternative Hearts
- Traditional users: Stick with ā¤ļø for all expressions of love
- Modern usage: Heart color carries specific meaning:
- š¤ (Black Heart): Edgy affection or dark humor
- š¤ (Brown Heart): Often used for racial identity solidarity
- š©· (Pink Heart): Gentle, often feminine-coded affection
- š« (Anatomical Heart): Deeper, more “real” love than the stylized hearts
- Example of evolution: “love you ā¤ļø” (2015) vs. “love you š«” (2025)
š Thumbs Up: From Approval to Dismissal
- Original usage: Genuine approval or agreement
- Current perception: Can be seen as curt, dismissive, or passive-aggressive, especially by younger users
- Example of generational divide: “Can you finish this by tomorrow?” / “š” (Boomer interpretation: “Yes, absolutely!” vs. Gen Z interpretation: “Fine, whatever”)
Emoji Combos
As emoji usage evolves, sequential combinations emerge to tell stories or express complex emotions. Itās fun to see how much can be communicated with emojis alone.
- š¶āāļøšŖ = Walking out/leaving the situation
- šļøššļø = Shocked, speechless, or uncomfortably surprised
- š³ļøš¦ = Diving into a chaotic situation
- šāāļøšØ = Running away from responsibilities/situations
- š§ ā” = Sudden realization or epiphany
- ššāāļø = Going with the flow
Emoji Brackets
Using emojis as parenthetical punctuation can help clarify or enhance the tone of the enclosed text.
- šøtext herešø = Soft/gentle tone
- šŖtext herešŖ = Threatening/intense tone
- āØtext hereāØ = Sarcastic elevation
- štext hereš = Drawing attention to something noteworthy
Language is Just One Piece of the Puzzle
At the end of the day (not a new phrase, but a reliable transition), communication is about connection, not terminology. While knowing current slang can help you navigate conversations with younger people or stay relevant in the dating pool, it’s just one tool in your kit.
Remember ā authenticity trumps trendiness every time. There’s nothing more attractive than being comfortable in your own skin (and your own vocabulary).
Your life experience, wisdom, and honest self are far more valuable than knowing what “delulu” means. Use these terms when they serve you, ignore them when they don’t, and remember that the right people will appreciate you for your substance, not your slang proficiency.
Besides, by the time you’ve mastered these terms, a whole new set will have emerged. That’s just how language works ā it’s a never-ending game of catch-up, but it’s pretty darn fun to play anyway.
Did I miss anything? Or maybe you have beef with some of these updates? Drop a comment below. šāāļøāļø
“Wow, emojis really are the new Shakespeare! Do you think older generations will ever fully catch up with all these new texting trends?”
I think younger generations will continue to make us chase their secret codes. As soon as we figure it out, they’ll move on to something new. The good new is that plain language still works in the end. Thanks for being here!
Texting language and emojis are evolving faster than ever, and itās fascinating how much meaning can be packed into a few characters or symbols. The generational gap in understanding these symbols is real, and itās interesting to see how older generations are catching up. Emojis now carry cultural significance and nuanced meanings, making them a language of their own. Itās incredible how users collectively shape their evolution. How do you think emoji usage will change in the next decade? š¤
Hopefully, new emojis will be added to the menu over time. Maybe more animated options, more dimensions, more created specifically for different generations. š¤Æ
The text is in English. Hereās a comment in English:
This is such a fascinating take on how language evolves, especially in the digital age! I never thought emojis could carry so much meaningāitās almost like theyāve become their own language. Itās interesting how generational differences play a role in interpreting them. Do you think this evolution makes communication easier or more confusing? Personally, I find it both exciting and a bit overwhelming. How do you keep up with all the new abbreviations and emoji meanings? Iād love to hear your thoughts on whether this shift is bringing us closer or creating more misunderstandings. Whatās your favorite emoji combo to use?
I find emojis fill a gap in texting where intentions and emotions can get lost. It’s easier to indicate sarcasm, for example, by adding a š to a message.
Thanks for commenting! š
Oh, the struggle of decoding emojis and text lingo is real! Itās fascinating how something as simple as a yellow face can carry so much meaning. I remember when phones had cords too, and now weāre here, deciphering GRWM and swiping through dating terms. Emojis have become their own language, and itās wild how their meanings shift over time. Do you think this evolution makes communication easier or more confusing? Iām curious, how do you keep up with all these changes? Itās like learning a new dialect every year! Whatās your go-to emoji, and do you think it means the same to everyone else? Letās face it, weāre all just trying to keep up with the digital age, right?
I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary to stay on top of every text shortcut. I find they naturally reveal themselves naturally in messaging with people and they’re usually easy to decipher based on the context. IMO, this is a fun side of the digital age.
Wow, this is such an interesting take on how emojis and digital lingo are evolving! I never really thought about how much meaning can be packed into a single emoji or abbreviation. Itās fascinating how something as simple as a yellow face can carry so much nuance. I can totally relate to feeling a bit out of the loop with all these new termsāsometimes it feels like learning a whole new language! Do you think this rapid evolution of digital communication is making it harder for different generations to connect? Iām curious, how do you keep up with all these changes? Personally, I think itās amazing how language adapts, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming. Whatās your favorite emoji or abbreviation that youāve recently discovered?
Wow, this text really highlights how much communication has evolved! Itās fascinating how emojis and abbreviations have become their own language, almost like a secret code. I can totally relate to feeling a bit out of touch with the younger generationās digital lingo. Do you think this rapid evolution of language is making communication more efficient or just more confusing? Personally, I love how creative and expressive emojis can be, but sometimes I wonder if weāre losing the art of clear, straightforward communication. Whatās your take on the generational divide when it comes to understanding these new forms of expression? And do you think itās possible to bridge that gap, or are we destined to keep misunderstanding each other?
I found this article really interesting, especially the part about emojis evolving into their own language. Itās fascinating how something so simple can carry so much meaning and even change over time. Iāve definitely noticed that younger people use emojis in ways I wouldnāt even think ofālike, who knew the eggplant š wasnāt just a vegetable anymore? š But I wonder, do you think this evolution of emojis is making communication easier or more confusing? Sometimes I feel like I need a decoder just to understand a text! Also, whatās your take on the generational divide when it comes to emoji usage? Do you think itās something weāll eventually bridge, or will it just keep growing? And hey, whatās your favorite emoji to use, and why? Iām curious to know if itās one of the āevolvedā ones!