Understanding Twitter Language

As with most modern inventions, there is a certain “language” you'll have to learn when it comes to using Twitter. When I first signed up, I was incredibly confused about what all of this stuff means. But I quickly got the hang of it and so will you!

Retweet (RT): This means that the Tweet was originally posted by someone else and you are reposting it because you want to spread the word, you think it's funny, etc.

Hash tag (#): Typing # followed by a keyword will categorize your Tweet so that others can easily find it by performing a search. Once you start using Twitter, you'll realize that MANY people use the hash tag in their Tweets – this can indicate a meme or trend that is quickly being spread through the Twit-o-sphere.

@ symbol: Placing the @ symbol directly before a username shows that you are directly addressing that person (but the Tweet is still public). Clicking the arrow button when you hover over a user's tweet will let you do this automatically.

Direct Message (DM): Typing d followed by a username will allow you to send them a Direct Message rather than having your Tweet appear publicly.

Overheard (OH): OH at the beginning of the Tweet means that you overheard something funny/interesting that is not your own original idea.

Nudge: Typing Nudge followed by a username will send the user a reminder to update and start tweeting again.

FAV: Typing FAV followed by a username will favorite that user's last Tweet.

GET: GET followed by a username will retrieve the user's last few updates.