Are Texting Codes Different By Generation?

By Mary Coupland

I came across this graphic and it made me laugh, so I wanted to share it with all of you. But it got me thinking do texting codes differ by generation, and the answer is YES.

Texting codes (or text abbreviations) are shortened forms of words, phrases, or sentences used in text messaging, online chats, and social media to save time or space. They're kind of like shorthand for the digital age.

Examples of Common Texting Codes:

LOL – Laugh out loud
BRB – Be right back
OMG – Oh my God
TTYL – Talk to you later
IDK – I don’t know
SMH – Shaking my head
BTW – By the way
IMO/IMHO – In my opinion / In my humble opinion
TBH – To be honest
FOMO – Fear of missing out

Generational Differences in Texting Codes:

Yes, texting codes can definitely vary by generation or age group. Here's a general breakdown:

Older Millennials & Gen X (late 70s–early 90s)

More likely to use abbreviations like LOL, BRB, TTYL, ROFL
Often stick to classic keyboard emojis like :-) or ;-)
Tend to use proper punctuation and grammar

Gen Z (late 90s–early 2010s)

Use more slang and cultural references (FR, sus, no cap, bet)
More likely to use ironic or dry humor in texts
Emojis are used differently — some classic ones (like 😂) are considered outdated; newer ones or none at all may be preferred
Sometimes use misspellings or lowercase for style or tone ("ok lol" instead of "OK LOL")

Boomers

May use texting codes less frequently
When they do use them, they often stick to traditional ones like LOL, which sometimes leads to funny mix-ups (e.g., using "LOL" as "lots of love")

Why the Differences?

Tech exposure: Younger generations grew up with digital communication and evolve with it, so they're quicker to adopt and change slang.
Cultural trends: Memes, social media, and influencers shape language rapidly.
Tone & humor: Each generation tends to develop its own communication style based on how it expresses humor, sarcasm, or formality.

Here's a cheat sheet organized by generation with a bonus section of funny or awkward texting misunderstandings across age groups.

Gen Z (late 90s–early 2010s)

Modern, meme-driven, often sarcastic or ironic.

Code/Slang	Meaning	Notes
FR	For real	Used for emphasis (“That’s wild FR”)
No cap	No lie / seriously	“He’s good at that, no cap”
Bet	Okay / Sure / Deal	Can also mean “I’m down for that”
Sus	Suspicious	Often from gaming culture (Among Us)
L	Loss / Fail	“Took an L today”
W	Win	“That was a W”
I’m dead 💀	That’s hilarious	Often used with no punctuation
💅	Confidence, sass	“Just did my taxes 💅”
Slaps	Really good	“That song slaps”
Rizz	Charisma / Flirting skills	Short for “charisma”
Iykyk	If you know, you know	Inside joke or reference

Millennials (early 80s–mid 90s)

Blended classic and modern slang; often emoji-friendly.

Code	Meaning	Notes
LOL	Laugh out loud	Still widely used
BRB	Be right back	A throwback to AIM/MSN days
TTYL	Talk to you later	Rare now, but nostalgic
OMG	Oh my God	Still common
TBH	To be honest	Used in both serious and casual convo
BFF	Best friends forever	Often jokingly used
IDK	I don't know	Universal
FOMO	Fear of missing out	Big with Millennials
Adulting	Doing grown-up stuff	“I’m tired of adulting today”

Gen X / Boomers

Use of texting codes tends to be more formal or practical.

Code	Meaning	Notes
LOL	Laugh out loud	But sometimes misunderstood… 😅
OMG	Oh my God	Common for big reactions
BTW	By the way	Often used in work texts too
THX	Thanks	Practical and short
GR8	Great	Older shorthand, used in early texting
CU L8R	See you later	Rare now, but old-school cool
ROFL	Rolling on floor laughing	A bit outdated, but still funny