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Internet and whatsapp for the dummies

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Internet and whatsapp for the dummies

Shashank Purandare

I am certain that most of my readers would be offended and outraged by this title. But you will thank me after reading through this.
You would think that you are smart enough to know everything about internet and WhatsApp since you are using it for so long. But; read me out!
Let us start with internet first:
To begin with, generations are divided by the era in which they are born. Each generations are defined by the slangs used for or by them on internet.

Here goes:
The Silent Generation (1928–1945)
• Cool Cat: A hip or stylish person.
• Golly Gee: Exclamation of surprise.
• Bee's Knees: Something outstanding. 

Baby Boomers (1946–1964)
The "me" generation focused on growth and social change:
• Groovy: Cool, excellent.
• Far Out: Excellent or unusual.
• Right On: Agreement or approval.
• Peace Out:Goodbye. 

Generation X (1965–1980) 
Known as the "middle child" generation, often independent and cynical:
  • Whatever: Dismissive, indifferent.
• Rad: Short for radical, meaning excellent.
• Tubular: Excellent or cool.
• Duh: Obvious. 

Millennials / Gen Y (1981–1996)
The first digital-native generation, focusing on social awareness:
• Woke: Being aware of social and political issues.
• Adulting: Doing responsible, everyday tasks.
• Cancelled: Rejecting or boycotting a person/entity.
• Humblebrag: Bragging about something while acting modest.
• Thirst Trap: A photo posted to social media to attract attention/lust.

  Generation Z (1997–2012)
Influenced by internet culture and social media: 
• No Cap: "No lie" or "I'm telling the truth".
• Bussin': Really good, usually referring to food.
• Salty: Jealous or upset.
• Stan: A devoted, obsessive fan.
• Glow Up: A significant positive transformation in appearance or life.
• Bed Rot: Spending the whole day in bed to relax.
• Beige Flag: A behavior that is neither good nor bad.

  Generation Alpha (2010–2024)
Known for being "iPad kids" influenced by social media:
  • Rizz/Rizzler: Charisma, romantic charm, or a person who has it.
• Skibidi: Derived from "Skibidi Toilet," often used as a filler word or to describe something bad/cool (context-dependent).
• Brain Rot: Describes low-quality internet content or the feeling of losing intelligence from watching too much TikTok.
• Gyatt/Gyatt: An exclamation used to describe someone's large backside. • Sigma: Used to describe someone who is popular.

Now you will understand what is what when someone uses these slangs. But wait, your education is not complete yet.
Let us now turn to WhatsApp or similar apps used these days.

Popular WhatsApp slang consists of quick abbreviations used to speed up texting, such as RN (Right Now), OMW (On My Way), and IMO/IMHO(In My Opinion/Humble Opinion). Common phrases include IKR (I know, right?), TBH (To be honest), and HMU (Hit me up). These shortcuts help make conversations faster and more casual. 

Popular WhatsApp Slang & Abbreviations
• AFK: Away from keyboard
• BAE: Before anyone else (used for a significant other)
• BRB: Be right back
• BTW: By the way
• DM: Direct message
• FOMO: Fear of missing out
• FTW: For the win
• GG: Good game
• IDC: I don't care
• IDK: I don't know
• ILY: I love you
• IYKYK: If you know, you know
• JK: Just kidding
• LMK: Let me know
• LOL: Laugh out loud
• NVM: Nevermind
• OMG: Oh my god/goodness
• POV: Point of view
• ROFL: Rolling on floor laughing
• SMH: Shaking my head (disapproval)
• TMI: Too much information
• TTYL: Talk to you later
• YOLO: You only live once
• ZZZ: Sleeping, bored, or tired
• Contextual Slang
• Caj: Casual (e.g., "Oh sure, caj")
• Ofc: Of course
• rn: Right now
• Slay: Doing exceptionally well
• Sus: Suspicious 
Common Phrases

• G2G/GTG: Got to go
• HBD: Happy Birthday
• TC: Take care
• WYD: What you doing?
• WYWH: Wish you were here

I read another one recently.
TYSM: Thank you so much

These are by no means complete. Generation Alpha keeps on inventing new slangs everyday. But for now, these are enough for you to understand what your kids or grandkids are chatting about, provided you can crack their phone passwords.

I will leave you with two gems I heard recently.

These days even 5-6 year old kids go on dates. Not the kind of dates you are thinking about though. These are called play dates, parties, organized by mommies for their kids and their friends. Don’t be surprised if your 5 year old gets invitation for a play date.

But this last piece takes the cake. You know what WC means, right? Wrong!! In WhatsApp parlance it means, you are welcome.