If you sometimes feel like the internet has a language of its own, it turns out you’re not the only one who is feeling a little confused. Social media experts at How Sociable analysed Google searches for common internet acronyms, to find out which ones have got Brits scratching their heads the most.
‘POV’ (Point of View) was found to be the most confusing acronym, with around 100,541 searches per month in the UK. Having been misappropriated, it often accompanies skits that feature a person in an uncomfortable or awkward situation e.g. ‘POV: It’s prom night and your date is late.’
‘SMH’ was found to be the second most confusing acronym, with 69,850 searches per month on average. The term, which stands for ‘Shaking My Head’, is commonly used online in situations where someone is disappointed or frustrated with the conversation or another person.
Coming in as the third most confusing acronym with 36,881 total searches per month is ‘NSFW’. This can mean either ‘Not Safe For Work’ or ‘Not Suitable For Work’ and is used online to indicate text or imagery that is explicit in nature or something that would be considered embarrassing or inappropriate to see or read in public.
‘LMAO’ is the fourth most confusing online acronym with 24,804 searches per month on average. The term, which is short for ‘Laughing my ass off’ is typically used online in response to amusing content or situations.
The fifth most confusing online acronym in the UK is ‘TLDR’ with 21,534 searches per month on average. Meaning ‘Too long; Didn’t Read,’ the term is typically used to preface a simple summary of a longer piece.
A spokesperson for How Sociable commented:
“Acronyms have always played an important role in the speed and clarity of online communication. Whether that be during the days of Myspace chatrooms or telling people what you ate for lunch on Twitter, acronyms offer people a useful way to say more, with less.
“And as more people become familiar with a given acronym, the more widely it becomes accepted in society. ‘SMH’ is one such acronym that has been so pervasive, it has managed to cement its place in the online Oxford dictionary.
“With new acronyms popping up all the time, it will be interesting to see which ones stand the test of time and which ones fall out of fashion.”
