PAL

What Does PAL Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

PAL means "Parents Are Listening."

More Observations...

The abbreviation PAL is an acronym used by children and teenagers with the meaning "Parents Are Listening" to indicate to the recipient that the parents of the sender can see or hear their conversation. PAL is effectively a coded instruction to be discreet until the all-clear is given. Other codes with similar meanings to PAL include:

• AITR "Adult In the Room".
• CD9 "Code 9 (Adult Alert)".
• P911 "Parent Alert (USA)".
• PLOS "Parents Looking Over Shoulder".
• POTS "Parents Over the Shoulder".
• PRW "Parents Are Watching".
• PWOS "Parents Watching Over Shoulder".
• RENTS "Parents ".

Image for PAL

When I write PAL, I mean this:

Watch out! There's a parent about!

Summary of Key Points

"Parents Are Listening" is, by far, the most common meaning for PAL when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

PAL
Definition:	Parents Are Listening
Type:	Acronym
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Teenagers and Under 13s

Examples of PAL in Sentences

Here are examples of PAL in conversations:

• Sally: PAL.
• Sinita: I agree. Are you coming to soccer practice?

• Groomer: Would you like to meet this weekend?
• Child: PAL. It would be cool to arrange a study session for Saturday.

An Academic Look at PAL

As it is spoken like a word, PAL is an acronym. Acronyms contrast with initialism abbreviations, which are pronounced using their individual letters. PAL is used as a standalone declarative sentence (i.e., a statement). In other words, it is not used as another part of speech within a wider sentence.

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we might have said something like "I can't talk" instead of using PAL.

Example of PAL Used in a Text

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