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Originally Posted by David
Why is this pervasive use of abbreviations & emoticons -- which we're all thoroughly familiar with -- referred to as instant messaging (IM) slang? Not only does most of it predate instant messaging, but it is also widespread far beyond the specific uses of IM, including Usenet newsgroups, e-mail, Internet Relay Chat (IRC) & Web message boards like the Ledge.
And why the reporter's implication that this slang is used only by teenagers? Not true by a long shot, as we all know (all of us who spend year after year on Web message boards).
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I think because the people who are perpetrating it in this case (teens)
do use it mostly for IM? (I'm not sure, but that seems like a sound working theory)
And though it's not used only by teens, I think a higher percentage of teens are using it then other groups?