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Friday, 15 October, 1999, 14:30 GMT 15:30 UK
Txt msging Part 2: The vocab list
![]() Earlier this week, E-cyclopedia wrote about the boom in "txt msging" - sending short messages over mobile phones.
The system used in the UK at the moment (SMS) limits messages to just 160 characters. And the process of writing messages can be laborious to say the least. So there is a real premium in cutting out unnecessary letters - for instance, why write "unnecessary" when "uncsry" will do? BBC News Online user Joyce Pelella, a 75-year-old UK ex-pat now living in Florida, took time off from running from Hurricane Floyd, to help us take it one step further.
So for instance, in the graphic above, the phrase "WOIBLT CU SOONS POBL" could be unzipped to mean "Would I be able to see you as soon as possible?" That's 20 characters instead of 46. Joyce was even able to supply some spying glamour to the story. Her mother and uncle trained spies at Bletchley Park, the top secret base where British intelligence used the infamous Enigma machine to crack wartime codes. Joyce even worked there as a courier. "Whole sentences can be accomplished with approx. four letters," she said. " The context of what is being written keeps you straight as to what the word is. She suggested some of the following abbreviations might come in useful for anyone txt msging. Although they might appear nonsense at first, there is a certain logic in them. (Feel free to add your suggestions, by e-mailing them to e-cyclopedia@bbc.co.uk).
WOIBLT - Would I be able to? ULBLT - You will be able to DOUTH - Do you think FUR - If you are WEFD - We have had WEFB - We have been MAIFB- May have been WEFND - We have not had IFD - I have had WOUFD - Would have had THAUF - Thank you for FOURM - For your information WURD - Where do you reside ULBLT - You will be able to ILBT - I will be able to COFB - Could have been THEFB - They have been WOBGLD - Would be glad THAU - Thank you; SMAFT - As a matter of fact SRULT - As a result FURNT - If you are interested SOONS - As soon as POBL - Possible THAIM(T) - That I am (not) POFS - Post office AOT - Another SHUBL(T) - Should be able (to); WERG - We are going to; NAIBD - Neighbourhood NIG - Anything MED - Immediate PERL - Personal FURNT - If you are not GING - Beginning WRIG - Writing
WOUBLT - Would that be Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato?
Submitted by: Ken Thornton-Smith Here are some terms used in chat rooms and when playing games online
c u l8tr m8 - See You Later Mate
Submitted by: Neil Skinner a/s/l? - age/sex/location Submitted by: Charles Blassberg |
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