B - for “be” and “bee” C - represents “see” K - is the shortened form of “okay” N - stands in for “and” O - is left from “oh” P - could be either “pea” or “pee” R - can mean “are” or “our” T - “tea” U - a regular exchange for pronoun “you” X - may be an “ex” Y - for the inquisitive “why”.

Once more the texter’s language is defined by the economic efficiency of putting just one letter to represent a whole word, and also maybe shows a sign of laziness - choosing the easiest option. Some single letters can be taken to represent other words due to their links. For example, X is regularly used as meaning a kiss, in a text message. Q often replaces the word question, and Y/N is a quick way of saying “yes or no?” W/ can even represent with.

Omitting vowels are common features of this form of communication. Similarly to shorthand in journalism, whole passages can exist with several excluded vowels. Here’s an example:

I hr tht we r gng out 2nt?

In this sentence, the e and a are missed out of hear, a and e are missing from are, going misses o and i, and tonight lacks an i. To those unfamiliar with the SMS language on show, the context is needed to make sense of the utterance. Vowel omitting occurs in many words, such as could (cld), would (wld), good (gd), and bad (bd). In cases such as bd, the outcome could be one of four words - bed, bid, bud or bad. The context is necessary to affirm which meaning is being used. Once again, the overriding need to economise is established.