Technology Fail.

April 2, 2014

Image: Angelo DeSantis on Flickr
Maybe it’s my English editor geekiness, but I am just not good with acronyms. Between LOL, BRB, and YOLO, I’m constantly having to stop and remember the correct phrases. Rather than encouraging brevity, it's an exercise in painfully slow futility. Call me old -- I did hit the big 3-0 this year, which is ancient when it comes to modeling, gymnasts, and technology -- but it’s exhausting.
 
Here’s how my brain computes text and chat-speak:

Story of my life...
  • BRB. Excuse me! I knew I drank too much pop…
  • IMHO. I’m on my way to the IHOP.
  • LOL. I’m lolling in a field of flowers. Next time you see me, I’ll be gamboling with sheep.
  • QT. Are we playing football? Because I’m really bad with remembering positions!
  • ROFL. Sorry, I have uncontrollable dietary issues. BRB.
  • LMBO. “Jack be nimble, jack be quick, jack go round the limbo stick!” (or the less-appropriate LMAO, which sounds like LAME-O to me.) Next up, charades.
  • TTFN. Tigger has left the building!
  • YOLO. Sounds like “holla,” and I’ve never been cool enough to say that.

I know that it’s not the internet -- it’s me. But I can’t seem to stop. I feel like I'm constantly trying to identify things, and not just acronyms. Snap Chat. Memes. Tumblr and Flickr (why no "e"? Gah!).

If you're feeling left behind, you're not alone. Take it from someone who is ready to go cry into her coffee Tumblr. But I remind myself -- this technology, too, shall pass. And in the meantime, thank God for Google.

 



We're linking up with Holley Gerth and her lovely Coffee For Your Heart today.

14 comments

  1. I'm well past the big 3-0, but I thought I was pretty good with text mumbo-jumbo. But those last three... I've got to go look them up. Fun post! (We're neighbors at Holley's today.)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Sandra! I'm hopeful that the teenagers in my life will keep me up-to-date. ;)

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  2. These totally make me giggle :). And you're NOT old yet! I'm half way to 94 ;). Students who try to use 'textese' when they turn in paper peeves me. I'm so glad I stopped by today!

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    1. "Textese" bothers me, too -- even when I actually text someone, I use full sentences! :)

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  3. Kristin I thought I was well verse in acronyms until my niece texted me and I was lost...lol. Reminds me of a mass text a mom sent out to her family about a family death and she closed it with LOL. And her son asked her "Mom! Why is this funny?" and she replied, "It's not!" when he asked what was up with the LOL, the mom said she thought it meant "Lots of Love". :-)

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    1. I've heard that one before, but it always makes me laugh. Although I kind of wish people were saying "Lots of love" when they write LOL! ;)

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  4. This was hilarous.. love it! :)

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  5. Kristin, I so identify with this post, so funny and encouraging :)

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    1. Thanks, Beth! I appreciate you stopping by.

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  6. Being a few years older than you, I too struggle with these. Us old ladies gotta stick together!

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    1. Yes, it's good to know I'm not alone. Thanks for your encouragement! :)

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  7. Whenever my husband is reading a text out loud, he reads lol as "lots of laughs." I have actually had to ask my mother a couple of times what her acronyms meant. As an English major and copyeditor, I tend to text complete words and phrases, and I double check that auto-correct didn't change anything on me. However, acronyms aside, I love how much technology has helped me to reach out and connect with others through so many different avenues. Thanks for the entertaining read.

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    1. I, too, struggle with the impulse to text full sentences (no short "how r u" for me, thank you very much!). I agree that technology often helps us feel connected to others, however -- as a mama who is home with her kids a lot, there are definitely days that it helps maintain my sanity. Thanks for your encouragement!

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