For me ABers use two sets of abbreviations here: 1. AB-specific abbreviations like AB - Answerbag DR- Downrate 2. Abbreviations that are widely used in cyberspace like TBH - To be honest AFAIK - As far as I know I think we really don't need such a library because it's better to discover those things for myself, IMHO ;)

LOL. Yeah I know. Thats why the only ones I really use is (obviously) LOL *laugh out loud* ttyl *talk to you later* brb *be right back* g2g *got to go* etc etc. Theres also about a million kinds of LOL lol. lmao. rofl. roflmao. etc WHATEVER.. lol. Just write HAHAHAHAHAHA people!! Anyway. Good luck!

http://www.gaarde.org/acronyms/ I find sites like this handy. There are many others like it out there too. This one isn't as complete as some of the others.

Here's a BUNCH of links that may help. (These are from my profile.) We have abbreviations, acronyms used on AB, Emoticons and what they mean, how some can do those little character-sized "pictures", and an AB Glossary that someone attempted to start. Between all of these, you should be able to find what you're looking for. ;-) Good list of Chat Abbreviations (many times used on AB - http://mistupid.com/internet/chattalk.htm and http://www.uscash.net/tips/chat.html . Here are some, many not so familiar - http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Internet_slang Some of the common acronyms used on AB - http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/142056 HUGE list of Emoticons or "Smileys" - http://www.netlingo.com/smiley.cfm and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_common_emoticons List of ALT Codes - http://www.tedmontgomery.com/tutorial/ALTchrc.html AB Glossary question and answers - http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/338803

No they should just give us more characters to work with.

1) I think it would be better if those abbreviations were widely avoided, if we want Answerbag to stay a portal for the general public, and not the property of a little alleged *elite*. Just consider that the most you are making use of such expressions, the fewer users will be able to communicate with you and will lose interest in your questions and answers. 2) If a particular abbreviation is bothering you, because it is used very often in some questions that interest you, why don't ask a question about it? And if you are lucky, maybe that question has already been answered. 3) Personally, if I didn't know what s/o means, I would google it. The first interesting result is: - "S/O - What does S/O stand for?" "Acronym Definition S/O Son Of S/O Sold Out S/O Significant Other S/O Security Officer" Source and further information: http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/S/O Okay, if you have never heard of the modern concept of "Significant Other", you will have to make further research. The second interesting result is: - "Urban Dictionary: s/o" "1. s/o 51 up, 8 down (a) significant other(s) My boyfriend is my s/o." "2. s/o 22 up, 4 down s/o is a shorter way to say starting offer. it is usually used in forums such as FSF or ISS. s/o: $50 h/o: $100 bin: $120 " Source and further information: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=s/o 4) "Pitfalls of jargon In some cases jargon is used as a shibboleth to distinguish those who belong to a group from those who do not. This is sometimes called "guild" or "insider" jargon. Those unfamiliar with a subject can often be tagged by their incorrect use of jargon. The use of jargon by outsiders is considered by insiders to be audacious, since it constitutes a claim to membership of the insider group. Conversely, since outsiders may not see the reference made via jargon, they are all the more sensitive to its more visible elitist social framing. Jargon may be perceived as pedantic, nerdy, and divorced from meaning to outsiders." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jargon You could also find it as "SO" in the "Jargon file": http://www.catb.org/~esr/jargon/html/go01.html "1. (also S.O.) Abbrev. for Significant Other, almost invariably written abbreviated and pronounced /S·O/ by hackers. Used to refer to one's primary relationship, esp. a live-in to whom one is not married." Source and further information: http://www.catb.org/~esr/jargon/html/S/SO.html