Chatroom Lingo and Emoticons

Chatrooms and message boards can be great fun if you know the language and practice some simple safety precautions.

Acronyms + Technobabble

Addy: E-mail address.
a/s/l?: What is your age, sex and location?
Board: The area on a message board or chatroom where conversations are posted.
Post: A message placed on a message board.
Thread: A strand of conversation on a message board, usually pertaining to a single subject.
BRB: Be Right Back. Used in a chatroom or on a message board to let others know you need a break but will return shortly. Good nettiquette so people don't wonder where you went when they ask you a question and you don't respond.
BTW: By The Way, ...
Flame: A derogatory comment or negative personal attack.
Handle: An online name, different than a person's real name. For safety, you should use a handle.
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion.
IMO: In My Opinion.
IRL: In Real Life (in your off-line life).
CU: See you (good-bye).
L8R: Later (as in, see you later).
Netiquette: Internet etiquette. It is bad netiquette, for instance, to flame in a chatroom. btw, TYPING IN ALL CAPS means you are yelling, so watch that you don't yell at people when you don't intend to.
ICQ: Most popular for its private instant messaging. That means you can have a private chatroom with a select group of people on your list, like family, friends, club members, or others who share a particular interest. ICQ also notifies you when people who are on your list come online. ICQ is free, and great fun if you like to chat.
LOL: Laughing Out Loud.
ROFL: Rolling On the Floor Laughing.
ROFLMAO: Rolling on the Floor Laughing My A$$ Off.

Emoticons

Until you get used to it, chatrooms and message boards can be difficult because you can't see other people's body language and facial expressions. It can be difficult to tell when someone is joking with you or flaming you. Emoticons are used to add facial expressions to a message to clarify emotions.

:-) Smile

:-( Frown

:-o Surprise/shock

:-> Mischievous grin

;-> Wink

>:{ Anger

:'-( Crying

Alternatively, you can enclose an emotion within asterisks. For instance: Aw, shucks *blushing*

How to Find Chat

Go to a search engine site such as Google or Dogpile and do a search on your favorite subject or hobby. For instance, if you'd like to chat with people about classic literature, search for "classic literature chat room".

When you get there snoop around and eavesdrop to see if the chatroom or message board is to your liking. Some rooms and boards contain rude and immature people, some are home to the warmest folks you'll ever "meet". If you like the tone of the place go ahead and register then jump right in. Don't be shy. Introduce yourself. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome you will receive.

Be Safe!

I don't mean to scare you away from online chats but there are some horror stories that inspire caution. Here's the horror scenario: You join a chatroom and make friends with someone. Months, maybe even years pass and you feel you know the person well enough to meet with them irl (in real life). When you do, the person is not who they pretended to be online. Worst case scenario -- and this has happened more than a few times -- is that the person is a kidnapper, thief, rapist or murderer.

Many people in online chatrooms are not who they pretend to be.

Safety Tips:

Always use a handle (online nickname that is different than your real name).
Never share personal information that could allow someone to pinpoint your location or real-life identity.
Never agree to meet an online acquaintance face-to-face, no matter how close you may feel to them. You may be a good judge of character when you meet someone face-to-face but online, you have no body language or facial expressions to make an informed, accurate assessment of someone else's character. All you know is what they type. People with dishonorable intentions can type too, and it's all too easy to lie in type and get away with it.

For more information about online safety visit:

CyberAngels
SafeKids