Internet Jargon - Speak-A My Language?

Internet Jargon is fast becoming a new language spoken by many and understood completely by few. New acronyms, words and phrases are being added daily. It’s changing the way we speak and write (Read Article).

It’s so important to keep current and understand what’s being said. Most likely your audience is at different levels of understanding.

I like to include definitions wherever possible in my web writings, memos and blog postings. In order to get our messages across we all have to learn a new language.

Here are some resources that can help:

Glossary of Internet & Web Jargon

Dictionary of Internet Terms

Understanding Computer & Internet Jargon

Internet Acronym Server
As a baby boomer who majored in English, I studied Shakespere and the 18th Century English poets. Today my job in Internet Marketing takes me to the brave new world of Internet speak. Can you imagine Lord Byron with a laptop?

Hardly a week goes by that I don’t hear a new term. Sometimes I laugh right out loud because old words have new meanings. The good thing is that I can remember these terms because I find humor in them.

Here are just a few that make me smile:

Netiquette - I hope you have it!
Chips and Salsa - What time does the game start?
BLOB - Steve McQueen’s first movie or ___.
Gopher - University of Minnesota’s mascot or somebody else?
Click Farmer - I’d like to meet one.
And two old standbys: Cookies and SPAM. - What I’m not having for lunch today unless I’m in my fallout shelter.

If you don’t know the meanings, look them up. And next time you’re writing a blog post or an email, plug in some definitions and help promote better understanding of the Internet’s language.