Why “Social Media English” Isn’t Just Noise From Zoomers Anymore
So, you know basic English. You can order coffee, ask for the bathroom, maybe even write a passive voice sentence without crying. Congrats. But now you’re on TikTok and someone comments:
“POV: You just realized LOL doesn’t mean lots of love.”
You panic. You sweat. You Google. (You end up here. Smart move.)
Welcome to social media English—the constantly mutating language of the internet. Unlike the dusty idioms you’ll find in schoolbooks (like the ones here: Lesser-Known English Idioms), these expressions are alive, chaotic, and absolutely unavoidable online.
The Main Offenders (AKA the Slang You Keep Pretending to Understand)
LOL – Laugh Out Loud
- Meaning: Not actually laughing, just politely acknowledging something isn’t boring.
- Example: “Just failed my test lol.”
- Fun fact: Originally sincere, now mostly sarcastic. The linguistic equivalent of smiling through pain.
- Extra credit: Need help with fake emotions in grammar? Check out cleft sentences.
IMO – In My Opinion
- Meaning: “Please don’t fight me but…”
- Example: “IMO, cats > dogs.”
- Use case: Great for debates on Reddit. Less great when talking to your boss.
TBT – Throwback Thursday
- Meaning: Nostalgia, scheduled.
- Example: “TBT to when ‘YOLO’ was still a thing.”
- Where: Mostly on Instagram, sometimes on TikTok if someone’s really feeling their old iPod pics.
POV – Point of View
- Meaning: Roleplay without leaving your chair.
- Example: “POV: You’re the last person to find out what POV means.”
- TikTok rating: 10/10 essential. Use it to make even your cereal-eating look cinematic.
Other Slang Terms That Will Ambush You in the Wild
BRB – Be Right Back
Used when disappearing mid-conversation like a magician.
“BRB, feeding my emotional support snacks.”
SMH – Shaking My Head
Expresses deep disappointment in humanity.
“People still use Yahoo Mail? SMH.”
TBH – To Be Honest
For when you’re about to drop an uncomfortable truth.
“TBH, I only followed you for your dog.”
Need to level up how casual or formal you sound? I got you: Formal vs. Informal English.
How to Use Slang Without Sounding Like a Government Agency Bot
Let’s break it down platform by platform:
| Platform | What to Use | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | POV, TBH | Grammar |
| TBT, LOL | Overthinking | |
| Twitter/X | IMO, SMH | Empathy |
| Discord | BRB, LOL | Full sentences |
Warning: Don’t overuse. This isn’t an emoji buffet. Sprinkle, don’t flood. Want to know when slang sounds natural? Try shadowing: Shadowing Technique for English
Closing Thoughts Before You Go Post “TBT to This Article”
Social media English isn’t going away. In fact, it’s becoming the way most people under 30 communicate. And while your grammar teacher might hate it, your followers will thank you. Or at least not unfollow you immediately.
So go ahead—flex your newfound slang muscles in a TikTok caption or Instagram story. You’ve earned it. And hey:
Which slang term do you use the most? Drop it in the comments and make us LOL IRL.