How to upgrade your outdated acronyms to keep up with Gen Z
Whether it's downloading TikTok or succumbing to the latest fashion trend, many of us try to do our bit to stay 'down with the kids'.
But one key thing could be giving away your age - your use of acronmys.
A new study by Currys has revealed the popular abbreviations that Generation Z perceive as 'old' - and it's not good news if you're still using OMG, YOLO, or LMAO.
'If you're still clinging to certain acronyms in your text conversations, you might be unwittingly signalling your age,' Currys said.
Thankfully, help is at hand, as Currys have revealed the easy swaps you can make to keep up with Gen Z.
A new study by Currys has revealed the popular abbreviations that Generation Z perceive as 'old'
The acronyms that make you seem old
- YOLO
- LMAO
- G2G
- LOL
- ROFL
- TTYL
- BRB
- TGIF
- FOMO
- OMG
In the study, Currys set out to understand the role of acronyms in Britons' daily lives.
A pool of 2,018 participants was quizzed on the most and least recognisable acronyms, as well as how they perceive people who use the.
The results revealed that YOLO (You Only Live Once) came up on top as the acronym Gen-Z respondents considered to be the most outdated.
This was followed by LMAO (35 per cent consider outdated), G2G (34 per cent), LOL (32 per cent), and ROFL (31 per cent).
'While there are some acronyms that are outdated, it can feel like it's impossible to keep up with how quickly new abbreviations pop up, so it's important to use the ones that you feel comfortable using,' Currys reassured.
If you're still regulary using these outdated abbreviations, there's good news.
Currys has created a glossary of alternative terms that are deemed more acceptable to Gen Z.
Whether it's downloading TikTok or succumbing to the latest fashion trend, many of us try to do our bit to stay 'down with the kids'. But one key thing could be giving away your age - your use of acronmys
| If you'd use this | Use this instead |
|---|---|
| YOLO (you only live once) | DIFTP (doing it for the plot) |
| LMAO (laughing my a** off) | IJBOL (I just burst out laughing) |
| ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing) | Skull emoji |
| GR8 | That slaps |
| OMG (oh my god) | High-five emoji |
| KK | Bet |
'We took the most results from Gen-Z for the most outdated acronyms and paired them up with a newer, more hip version to use so you can speak their language,' the tech outlet said.
Instead of YOLO, Currys suggests using DIFTP (Do It For The Plot).
LMAO can be replaced by IJBOL (I Just Burst Out Laughing), while you can simply opt for a skull emoji over ROFL.
Meanwhile, the 'high five' emoji can be used in place of the good old-fashioned OMG.
As part of the study, Currys also looked at the acronyms that most Britons don't understand.
TNTL (Try Not To Laugh) topped the list, with just three per cent of Britons understanding what this means.
LBR (Let's Be Real) was next (understood by four per cent), followed by SNM (Say No More), which just seven per cent of Britons understood.