Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

One of the newest members of our astronomy club (and one of the youngest) has been sending me emails that often include cryptic acronyms and abbreviations requiring a visit to this helpful website. I'd never use things like that in a formal email to a client, but in casual emails to friends and family, I often use some of the more commonly known myself [IMHO, LOL, :), etc.]. Those have been around since the early days when "chat rooms" went by the name of "CB Simulator" ca. 1980s. For those too young to recall, the "CB" stands for "citizens band" which was a radio communication system. I think it's still popular with long-haul truckers.

Now I've gone on record many times saying I don't mind the language evolving, especially casual language. But this recent trend bothers me. Many of these abbreviations and acronyms have multiple meanings, and it's not always obvious from context which meaning is implied. Scan through the (long) list on that link and you'll see what I'm talking about.

I've even had people say (in words) "BRB" when, for example, they need to excuse themself to use the restroom. Likewise "IMHO."

So I won't ask you (the forum members) if you've seen this trend, because I'm virtually certain you have. My question here is how you feel about it, and how it's affecting the language. Personally, I don't like it. It's starting to make me feel like an "outsider" with my own first language.