Abbreviation Nation (aka Abbreve Nashe) – Contemporary abbreves originated in the prehistoric era of AIM

Contemporary abbreves originated in the prehistoric era of AIM (AOL Instant Messenger). They were developed by Internet users of the 1990s and early 2000s to more efficiently communicate that they were indeed laughing out loud. “LOL,” “TTYL,” “SUP,” “G2G,” “NMU,” “LMAO,” “IDK,” and “BRB” were amongst the most heavily used AIM abbreves. Us children of the 1990s took it upon ourselves to bring abbreves back within the past 4 years, but this time around, they are being used in everyday conversation as well, without a second thought. If you aren’t down with the abbreves, it’s taking you at least three times longer than the average abbreve user to communicate.

When abbreves came back around circa 2010, new abbreves were being developed left and right, and some found it hard to keep up. Now that it’s been roughly 4 years since the revival of the abbreve, abbreve users can easily recognize the full word being spoken even upon hearing its abbreve for the first time.

In 2010, Kanye really broke it down for us in Nicki Minaj’s song, “Blazin” where he states, “Her dress is just perf,” “It’s obvi we the ish,” “Baby everything legit,” and “They say we cray cause our style’s so diff, they be jeal when we in the mag lookin magnif.” Once the average 20-something year old starts speaking in abbreves, it’s totes a strug to go back to the olden English days.

It is a common misconception among noob-level abbrevers that any word can be abbreved. This could not be further from the truth of it. There is a set of unspoken rules that goes along with being a successful abbrever. These rules vary depending on the word being abbreved, but all in all, the common patterns include:

Numbz 1: It is mostly necessary to abbreve a three or more syllable word. Don’t come at a homie with “Hey, can you pass me that encyclopedia?” No one has time for that type of language when studying at the libe. It is encouraged to shorten this sentence to, “Hey, can you pass the encyclopeedz?” One may notice that in writing, “encyclopeedz” is indeed the same amount of letters as “encyclopedia.” This is irrelevant in the spoken dialect of abbreves, which brings us to rule number 2.

Numbz 2: It’s all about the syllables. It is common practice among abbreve users to have the urge to shorten words to the least amount of syllables possible at all times. Sometimes this technique is effective, and other times it is more efficient to only cut off only one or two syllables from a longer word. Lots of times, however, either of these techniques are koshe. It all boils down to what sounds natural. Forced abbreves just don’t fly. For instance, as my name is three syllables, most of my friends call me “A” or “Adge.” On the other hand, “Adri” is a less common, yet still acknowledged, nickname. Other words that follow these rules include, but are not limited to:

– “Magnificent,” a 4-syllable word which can be abbreved as the 2-syllable “magnif” or the acceptable 3-syllable “magnifie.” Note that this word cannot be abbreved to simply “mag,” as that would be confused with the word “magazine.”
– “Totally,” which is acceptable to abbreve as “total” or “totes” depending on the usage. “Total” should be used by itself either in agreement or to answer a question, whereas “totes” can be used as a totes descriptive adverb. Examples in context: “That was totes the best movie evz” or
“Did you like that movie?”
“Total.”
– “Hilarious,” which can be shortened to “hilair” or “hilarie,” but never “hil.”
– “Definitely” should only be abbreved as “def.”
– “Obvious” or “Obviously” can be abbreved as “obvi” (my fave) or the equally acceptable “obvs.”
– “Different” or “difference” is “diff,” “Same diff, dude.”

Numbz 3: Always know how to spell the abbreve you’re using so that it is sounded out how it’s pronounced. For instance, “crazy” shouldn’t be abbreved as “cra,” as no one will know what the eff you’re trying to commune. Rather, it should be abbreved as “cray.” Evzone famill with abbreves can comprehend it this way.

Numbz 4: Don’t try to abbreve every 2-syllable word. Although 2-syllable words are the most fun to abbreve, some are just sillz. These failed attempts at abbreves are the ones that sound awk. Abbreves should never be awk. Unless it is the word “awk,” which indeed sounds awkward, but fits the definition. Dope two-syll abbreves include:

Crazy: cray
Over: oves
Snapchats: snapz
Ready: reds
Perfect: perf
Lotion: loshe
Kosher: koshe
Nation: nashe
Tipsy: tips (not to be confused with “typs,” the abbreve for “typical”)
Later: lates
[LSU Student] Union: yoon
Bogie’s: Bogz
Pluckers: Plucks
Metro (strictly in D.C.): met

Numbz 5: Some abbreves require an “s” or “z” on the end of them, even if they aren’t plural. For instance, you can’t just say “whatev” because it just doesn’t sound right. “Whatevs” is the only acceptable way of abbreving “whatever.” This is the same for “totes,” “obvs,” and “reds,” among others.

Numbz 6: It is what it is. Sometimes 2-syllable abbreves just happen to be the same amount of syllables as the original English word, such as “jelly” for “jealous,” and “natty” for “natural” (derived from the sacred Natural Light beer tagged “Natty” or “Natty Light” among the beer pong/flip cup community).

Numbz Sevz: Some abbreves just need “ski” or “skis” attached for extra flare. Examples: “broski” (bro), “übeskis” (Über, only when referring to the cab company), “dinskis” (dinner), “preskis” (pregame), etc.

Numbz 8: Probably the most important rule regarding abbreves is to not use them when speaking to a foreigner or someone not related to you over the age of 35. I’ve realized how crucial this rule is while living here in the melting pot and professional world of D.C. The English language is already expansive enough, and while the abbreve dictionary is ever expanding, it’s not nice to confuse people who are already confused with today’s dope lingo. Only introduce abbreves to your vocabulary when speaking to semi-fluent or completely fluent English speaking individuals of your own generation. To my readers and to my harsh critics who are over 35, it is encouraged that you get down with the dope abbreves, but totally understandable if this is too much to handle. It is also understandable if you’ve already stopped reading due to abbreves being way over your graying head.

Note: It is totally koshe to invent abbreves on the reg as long as those who frequent abbreves can comprehend what you’re trying to say. As previously stated, trying to push a certain abbreve that just doesn’t flow isn’t acceptable.

In conclusion, while abbreves are one of the most annoying and absurd dialects spoken in America, no one in our generation can argue with their efficiency. That being said, I would like to give a special thanks to those who are doing their part in keeping abbreves alive. Legit!

I found myself face to face with Mars’ in Georgetown, D.C. at the DTR Modern Gallery. Although there is an abundance of eye-catching work at this gallery, his stood out to me the most. Amongst the Warhol’s, Hirst’s, and Slonem’s on these gallery walls, Robert Mars’ work both compliments and sets itself apart from the surrounding iconic artists. His “Captivated” series is of my favorites thus far. His subject matter in this series includes American iconic images of Jackie O, James Dean, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and brands such as Campbell’s, Coca-Cola, and Marlboro superimposed on an abstracted American flag. It is a combination of my deep-rooted obsession with America and immense appreciation for pop art that draws me to Mars’ compositions.