For newbies and ESL Users, here's a list of common forum acronyms, abbreviations, and slang:
newbie = if you don't know this, you are one!
lurker = one who reads but never Posts
ESL = English as a Second Language (often referred to by careless Americans as "foreigners"; sorry, we don't mean to be rude, it just comes naturally)
FYI = for your information
AFAIK = as far as I know
AFAIR = as far as I recall/remember
AIR = as I recall/remember
IMO = in my opinion
IMHO = in my humble/honest opinion
LOL = laughing out loud
LOLFOTFL = LOL, falling on the floor laughing
IIRC = if I recall correctly
RW = real world
Some impolite acronyms, which IMHO you shouldn't use, but will probably see:
LMAO = laughing my (rearend) off
WTF? = what the (nasty curse word)?
RTFM = read the (freakin') manual!
Emoticons: All you have to know is that if someone puts :-) or
or :-D or
or ;-) or
or
somewhere in their post, they are trying to make a joke. It might be a dumb joke, or in poor taste, but not everyone can be as funny as me.
These are all that come to mind in 5 minutes. Feel free to add any I've missed.