This morning, I did a few MTs and PRTs on my Twitter feed, asked a follower to TMB about a collab opp, and SMH at some trolls I found. Feeling overwhelmed, I said BFN to Twitter for the day to go touch grass AFK. IFYKYK, amirite?
If that sentence made your head spin, you‘re not alone. The world of Twitter has developed its own unique language full of acronyms, abbreviations, and insider lingo that can be baffling to the uninitiated. For marketers looking to expand their reach and engage their audience on Twitter in 2023, fluency in "Twitter-speak" isn‘t optional – it‘s essential.
Don‘t worry, we‘ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide to 34 Twitter terms and slang you need to know this year. We‘ll decode the jargon, provide examples, and give you the rundown on how to use Twitter terminology like a pro. By the end, you‘ll be ready to dive into the Twitterverse and connect with your audience…without sounding like a total n00b. Let‘s get into it!
23 Fundamental Twitter Terms to Know in 2023
First, let‘s break down some key terms that are ubiquitous on Twitter. Familiarize yourself with this basic vocabulary and you‘ll be navigating the platform like a pro in no time.
@mention
When you want to tag or mention another user in a tweet, simply include their handle preceded by the @ symbol. For example: "Loved the insights at yesterday‘s marketing conference, @JaneDoe!" The user will get a notification that you mentioned them, making it a great way to engage in conversation or give a shout-out.
#
The humble hashtag is an icon on Twitter. Putting the # sign in front of a word or phrase (without spaces) turns it into a clickable topic tag, allowing users to discover and join conversations on that subject. Branded hashtags are also a key way for businesses to track campaigns and engage their community. Just don‘t overdo it – 1-2 hashtags per tweet is plenty.
Bots
Twitter bots are autonomous programs designed to perform a specific function, like retweeting content with certain keywords or auto-replying to tweets. While some bots are useful or entertaining, many are used for spam and other nefarious purposes. Be wary of accounts with bot-like behavior as you decide who to follow and engage.
DM
A DM or Direct Message is a private communication between two users on Twitter. The catch is that you can only DM accounts who follow you. Many brands use DMs for one-on-one customer service interactions. Just keep it professional – no one likes an unsolicited or spammy DM!
Feed
Your Twitter feed (sometimes called your timeline) is a constantly-updating list of tweets from accounts you follow. Think of it as the "homepage" you see when you log into Twitter on desktop or mobile. Savvy marketers curate their feed to stay up-to-date on industry news and connect with influencers and peers.
FF or #FF
Follower
The backbone of Twitter! A follower is someone who has chosen to see your tweets in their feed and will receive your updates. Remember, earning a follow is a privilege – provide valuable content and engage with your audience authentically to turn followers into loyal fans.
Period before @mention
Here‘s a vital Twitter tip: Starting a tweet with an @mention will make it visible only to that user and your mutual followers. But if you want all your followers to see it, just put a period before the @mention. Like so:
.@JohnSmith loved your presentation on AI in marketing! Thanks for sharing those stats.
This simple tweak ensures your tweet gets maximum visibility.
PRT
PRT stands for Partial Retweet. It‘s a way to quote a tweet while adding your own commentary before the RT, like so:
Fascinating insights here on the future of social media marketing! PRT @JaneDoe Social media ad spend is projected to increase by X% in 2023 [link]
Use PRT to share interesting tweets while adding your unique perspective.
Reply
Click the reply icon under any tweet to respond publicly. Your reply will be visible on the original tweeter‘s mentions tab and to anyone viewing the conversation thread. Keep it friendly and on-topic – your replies are part of your public persona on Twitter.
RT
The currency of the Twitter economy! RT stands for retweet, which is essentially sharing someone else‘s tweet with your followers. It‘s the sincerest form of flattery on this platform. Aim to be worthy of organic retweets by sharing informative, entertaining, and valuable content your audience will want to amplify.
Trolls
The bane of every corner of the internet, Twitter has its share of trolls – people who intentionally antagonize, bully or spread misinformation to get a reaction. Don‘t feed the trolls! Block and report abusive accounts, and focus on fostering healthy conversations within your community.
Tweeps
Your tweeps are your Twitter pals – the accounts you engage with regularly and who make up your corner of the Twitterverse. Cultivating relationships with your tweeps can lead to rewarding personal and professional connections.
Trending Topic
Ever wonder what those phrases next to the hashtags on your Explore page mean? Those are trending topics – hashtags or keywords that are surging in popularity due to a current event, meme or cultural moment. Joining the conversation on relevant trending topics can get more eyes on your tweets.
Tweeple / Twitterverse
Tweeple = Twitter + people. It‘s a catchy way to refer to the individuals who make up the vast universe of Twitter. Understanding your specific niche within the Twitterverse is key for growing your brand‘s community.
Unfollow
The opposite of a follow – when someone removes your account from their feed. Don‘t take it personally! Focus on providing consistent value and building genuine connections with your audience. Aggressively following/unfollowing accounts is considered bad Twitter etiquette.
Via
Gives credit to the original source of content you‘re tweeting:
10 Eye-Opening Stats on AI in Marketing [link] via @MarketingMag
Use via to curate content ethically and recognize others‘ work.
11 Pieces of Twitter Slang to Add to Your Vocab
Now that you‘ve got the fundamentals down, let‘s dive into the more colorful side of Twitter talk – slang. Understand these terms to keep up with meme-speak and communicate like a true insider. Use slang sparingly and only when it authentically fits your brand voice.
atp
At this point. Often used when recounting a story tweet-by-tweet:
Atp I‘m wondering if I should have worn a different outfit to this conference…
BFN
Bye for now! A quick, friendly way to sign off from Twitter for a bit.
Loving this convo but I gtg. BFN!
Canceled
To "cancel" someone on Twitter means to stop supporting them and call out their problematic behavior, usually due to scandal or offensive statements/actions. Cancel culture can spark important conversations but also lead to unproductive pile-ons. Think critically about how and when to use this term.
ICYMI
In Case You Missed It. Used to resurface old content or catch followers up on recent news/drama, like so:
ICYMI: We announced our Q2 earnings report this morning! Read the full release here: [link]
IFYKYK
If you know, you know. Implies the reader is part of an in-group who understands the reference or subtext without needing it spelled out. Use it to create an air of exclusivity or crack an inside joke.
Our dev team is obsessed with Web3 – IFYKYK 👀
NTS
Note to self. A self-deprecating way to call yourself out or make a mental note via tweet:
NTS: Don‘t skimp on proofreading! Just caught a glaring typo in my last newsletter 🤦🏻♀️
Stan
Stan = stalker + fan. It refers to extremely dedicated fans of a celebrity, fictional character, or influencer. While passion is great, stan culture can veer into unhealthy obsession, so use this term thoughtfully.
Subtweet
A passive-aggressive or flirtatious tweet that refers to someone without tagging them. For example:
Loving how a certain someone showed up for our collab meeting today 😍
Unless you want to stir up messy drama, avoid vague-posting and commit to communicating directly instead.
TBH
To be honest. Use sparingly to share a genuine opinion or mild confession.
Not gonna front, I‘m kinda nervous to post this…but tbh I think it‘s an important convo. Lmk your thoughts!
TFTF
Thanks for the follow! A nice way to acknowledge a new follower. Even better – craft a unique, personalized reply to welcome them to your community.
Twitterati
The Twitter illuminati – elite users with major followings and influence. Landing features or RTs from the Twitterati is a great way to expand your reach.
Should Your Brand Use Twitter Slang?
So now you‘re well-versed in Twitter slang…but should you actually use it? The answer is – it depends! Consider your audience demographics, your brand voice, and the context.
If you‘re targeting a gen-z audience, peppering your tweets with on-trend lingo could help you connect with them on their level. But if you‘re a B2B brand known for your professionalism and authority, suddenly replacing periods with 💅 might look cringey and out-of-touch.
The key is to understand what the slang means and use it authentically and sparingly. You‘re not tweeting to your BFF, so keep it appropriate for a business context. A good rule of thumb – if you have to ask "am I using this right?" you probably aren‘t. When in doubt, it‘s always better to keep it classic and focus on providing value over trying to force trendiness.
Go Forth and Tweet Like an Expert
Congratulations – you‘re now equipped with the fundamental Twitter terms and slang you need to engage fluently on the platform! Save this guide for reference as you craft tweets, decipher your feed, and build your community.
Remember, while understanding the lingo is important, what really matters is consistently showing up, listening to your audience, and adding value to the conversation. Let your brand‘s unique personality and expertise shine through in every tweet.
Now get out there and join the global conversation on Twitter! With this newfound knowledge, you‘re ready to connect with your customers, peers, and industry thought leaders…one authentic, 280-character tweet at a time. Happy tweeting!
