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LOL :) -- A Guide to Internet Lingo and Emoticons

With just a few keystrokes, you can quickly convey laughter, disbelief, and other complex emotions on the Net. Here's the lingo you need to know.

By James A. Martin, PCWorld   

Everyday Acronyms: Coming and Going

afk Away from keyboard

And about to do goodness knows what.

bak Back at keyboard

Having done goodness knows what.

bfn Bye for now

Tells others you're stepping away for an indeterminate amount of time.

Variations: b4n, bbl (be back later).

brb Be right back

Announces a brief absence, as if you're pausing to read a Shakespeare sonnet.

cu See you

The more formal version of cya (See ya).

ltns Long time, no see

A polite way of saying "I forgot you even existed," which could be abbreviated as ifuee.

ttfn Ta ta for now

What Zsa Zsa Gabor might say when exiting a chat room.

Variation: l8tr (later).

Flaming and Feuding

gal Get a life

The exact opposite of hand (have a nice day).

kiss Keep it simple, stupid

An impolite way of saying ot (off topic).

pu That stinks

tswc Tell someone who cares

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