text message

A text message is a brief, electronic message (less than 160 characters) sent and received via a wireless network and viewed on any number of mobile or handheld devices, such as a Blackberry, iPhone, cell phone, PDA, handy, or a pager (see also: SMS). As more and more people send text messages to each other, they are increasingly using acronyms, chat acronyms, shorthand, and smileys since the screens on mobile devices keep getting smaller and smaller -- see: microbrowser and microblogging.

For example, "AFAIK CU 2NITE" means, "As far as I know, I'll see you tonight." Or, "CN U RD THS? IF U Want 2 no abt 100s of gr8 txt msgs, go2 da list!"

Historical Perspective: The state of Washington passed the first ban in the United States on texting while driving (in May, 2007) and several other states have followed suit. For a list of Countries and U.S. States that Ban Cell Phones and Text Messaging while Driving, visit the link below.

For the largest list of Internet acronyms and text message shorthand, click on "more info" below!