Icons, Abbreviations, Acronyms, Internet Slang Terms, and Neologisms
All the entries on Cyber Definitions can be placed into one of the following categories:
- Icons. This includes:
- text images
- emoticons
- emojis
- Abbreviations. This includes:
- initialism
- contractions
- Acronyms
- Slang Terms
- Numeronyms
- Neologisms
More...
Here is more information about each category:What Is an Icon?
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Icon:
A representative symbol (i.e., a picture)(1) Text Image
A text image is a pictorial representation of something using only text. For example:- (_8_^_(I) (Homer Simpson)
- (^^^) (sharks)
- :(|) ( monkey)
(2) Emoticon
An emoticon is a pictorial representation of a face showing a specific emotion. For example:(3) Emoji
An emoji is a small digital image or icon used to express an idea or emotion. For example:- 😁 (angry face)
- 🧟 (zombie)
- 🎃 (jack-o-lantern)
What Is an Abbreviation?
An abbreviation is a shortened version of a written word or phrase. An abbreviation can usually be placed into one of two categories:(1) Initial Abbreviation (or Initialism)
![](../images/cyberDefsHead.png)
Initial Abbreviation:
When one letter represents one word(2) Contraction
![](../images/cyberDefsHead.png)
Contraction:
A shortened or compression version of a word or words- The shortening or compressing of a word: ABS (Absolutely), ACK (Acknowledge) (These are classic contractions.)
- The merging of two words into one: DOKE (Diet Coke), EDDRESS (E-mail Address) (These are also called portmanteau words.)
- The use of initial syllables from multiple words: ABFAB (Absolutely Fabulous), EMOTICON (Emotional Icon) (These are also called syllabic abbreviations.)
What Is an Acronym?
![](../images/cyberDefsHead.png)
Acronym:
An abbreviation spoken like a word- GOMER (Unwelcome Patient (from "Get Out of My Emergency Room"))
- CAD (Computer Aided Design)
- LOL (Laughing Out Loud) (LOL is only an acronym when pronounced "loll", i.e., not when pronounced "Ell Oh Ell".)
What Is an Internet Slang Term?
![](../images/cyberDefsHead.png)
Internet Slang Term:
A term that is not an abbreviation or an icon, born of the digital eraWhat Is a Numeronym?
![](../images/cyberDefsHead.png)
Numeronym:
Numbers that represent a word or a meaningWhat Is a Neologism?
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Neologism:
A term newly born into the English language- CATFISH (Individual Who Creates a False Online Identity)
- OVERSHARING (Divulging Too Much Personal Information)
- BREEDER (Heterosexual Person)
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