Internet Fax Glossary: Text Messaging

Text messaging, or texting is the common term for the sending of "short" (160 characters or fewer) text messages, using the Short Message Service, from mobile phones. It is available on most digital mobile phones and some personal digital assistants with onboard wireless telecommunications. The individual messages which are sent are called text messages.

The terms text messaging, text messages, more colloquially SMSes, texts, or even txts and its variants are more commonly used in North America, the UK, Spain and the Philippines, while most other countries prefer the term SMS.

Text messages are also often used to interact with automated systems, such as ordering products and services for mobile phones, or participating in contests. There are some services available on the Internet that allow users to send text messages free of direct charge to the sender, although users in other parts of the world should be aware that users of North American networks will often have to pay to receive any SMS text message.

Some commonly used phrases on texting are brb (be right back), gtg (got to go), mos, wtf (what the f**k), wth (what the hell), dos, ttyl (talk to you later), idk, and more.