What Does NM Mean in Texting and How to Use It
What does nm mean in texting? If you don’t already know, continue reading this post.
Has it ever happened to you that you asked a friend what they are up to and they replied, “NM”?
Unless you know the meaning of this internet initialism, you might be wondering what it’s. Now that you’ve landed on this page, let us take you through the meaning of NM and how to use it properly in the right situations.
What Does NM Mean in Texting?
Simply put, NM stands for “not much.” It can also mean “nothing much.” So, it’s up to you whether you want to read the letter “n” for not or nothing. This internet slang or abbreviation is commonly used while replying to questions such as “what’s up?” or “what are you doing?”
NM has become quite popular among young people as they use it in texts and social platforms. However, this is a noncommittal answer so follow-up is needed to start an engaging conversation.
Like other online acronyms, people use lowercase while writing it, instead of uppercase letters. When used to respond to a question, it can also function as a complete sentence. If you get it as a reply and want to throw a question back to the person who asked the question, you can reply NM followed by HBU.
The History of NM
All kinds of acronyms have evolved through the last couple of decades, but NM is one of the oldest, appearing in chat rooms and message boards as early as 2002 (if not earlier). These new forms of internet communication and virtual small talk created the foundation for terms still used to this day in more modern formats, such as in texting and on social media.
We wouldn’t have any of the same acronyms we do now if it weren’t for early internet boards and instant messaging apps (like AIM or Yahoo Messenger) that set the need for fast, universal terms that saved time when physically typing them out. With how advanced texting has become now (thanks to auto fill and better phone keyboards) this isn’t quite as necessary anymore, but it doesn’t matter. Text acronyms are very much here to stay.
Using NM Now
While there are lots of new texting terms that seem to pop up out of nowhere, NM is still very much in use, decades later. You’ll see it often in platforms like Reddit, Discord, iMessage, WhatsApp, and good old fashioned texting.
Now, with so many teens and kids interacting online with friends and strangers, it is important to keep abreast of what slang and acronyms are currently being used. NM is pretty harmless, of course, but it can be helpful to discuss safe online interactions with kids and teens, so they know how to recognize red flags like cyberbullying, scams, and untrustworthy people.
There are so many new acronyms that continue to appear, many of them created and used by young people, that it can feel overwhelming to keep track of them. However, if you want to stay connected to younger generations, it can be valuable to at least have a basic understanding of the most common texting terms. It keeps you in the loop, helps you improve your communication with them, and it may even help you keep your kids and teens safer in the often toxic environment that is the internet.
NM and Never Mind
While not much/nothing much seems to be the most common modern usage of NM, for tons of people it actually meant and still means, never mind. This is pretty widely accepted, and some people will use NM as either never mind or not much. Good luck keeping that straight! Fortunately, context should help you decipher which one they mean. If nothing else, you can always just ask!
Oh, it bears mentioning that NM also is the abbreviation for New Mexico. Pretty obvious, and unlikely that’s what your friend means when you ask her what she’s up to, but you know. It’s definitely a thing!
How to Use NM
All internet initials are informal and shouldn’t be used in formal conversations. In fact, NM is more informal compared to other acronyms. Hence, it’s best to use NM while talking to friends or when you’re in a nonprofessional environment.
Also, during in-person conversations, people say nothing much or not much. So, no need to use initials while talking to someone face-to-face.
Here are examples of using NM in online chats and conversations:
- “nm. hbu?”
- “nm, same old.”
- “nm. just enjoying my vacation.”
When to Use NM
Now that you know, “What does NM mean?” you should also know when to use it. You can use this acronym to refer to that not a lot is happening in your life or work, or you’re looking for some interesting work. If you’re bored sitting at home, it’s the perfect time to use NM.
Sometimes, you can write NM to mean things are normal and nothing out of the ordinary is happening. If a friend asks you how is your job going or study going on, you can reply to them with NM indicating nothing new has happened.
NM can also be used to indicate your availability. For example, if someone asks you about your schedule and you reply with “NM,” it means you’ve got some free time.
Wrapping Up
The growth of online text messaging apps and social platforms opened a new dimension for internet initialism. There are hundreds of abbreviations people use and often, it’s impossible to know the meanings of all these (or to even remember them).
That’s why this blog discussed what does nm mean. Now, you can use it in the right situations and understand what the senders are trying to convey with this.
You may also like to know what does fr mean.
