They’re all abbreviations commonly used in typed internet communication – and they’re all relatively new additions to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
Some of the words in internet culture don’t look like words. For example, what do TMI (too much information), FOMO (fear of missing out) and ICYMI (in case you missed it) have in common? They’re all abbreviations commonly used in typed internet communication – and they’re all relatively new additions to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. This shows the broadening definition of a word, how much time we are spending online and how the most common form of communication on the internet – writing – is being reflected in our spoken language.