Smilies and Abbreviations
Since e-mail does not show expression, messages can easily be misunderstood... especially messages between strangers. Jokes can really cause problems. Smilies and abbreviations help the reader better understand the intentions behind a message.
Here are just a few of the many smilies and abbreviations.
Smilies*
:-) happy :-D snickering
}:-} grinning ;-) winking
}8-} wears glasses 3:] smilie pet
(-D laughing :-X keeping a secret
:-| disgusted %-) confused
:-( unhappy :'-( crying
=:-) shocked! |-O bored
:-o surprised! :-I puzzled
%-) looking at screen too long :-II angry
*Sometimes spelled "Smileys" or called "Emoticons".
Abbreviations
afaik = as far as I know
afk = away from keyboard
bak = back at keyboard
btw = by the way
cul = see you later
fwiw = for what it is worth
fyi = for your information
hth = hope this helps
gr8 = great!
imho = in my humble opinion
imo = in my opinion
iow = in other words
lol = laughing out loud
rotfl = rolling on the floor laughing
sry = sorry
thx = thanks
tia = thanks in advance
ttfn = ta-ta for now
ty = thank you
Sometimes abbreviations are combined.
IMHOFWIW or ROTFLOL
There are whole Web sites on the Internet devoted to smilies and abbreviations.