What Does SMH Mean (And How to Use It).
Online acronyms like SMH are part of a growing trend in online communication and messaging. Using acronyms saves you time by typing a few characters instead of the full phrase and helps you express your opinion better. In fact, if you don’t know the meaning of common abbreviations, you will spend more time on Google trying to figure out what your friend meant when he used SMH in the text.
With the rise in the number of instant messaging apps, you can expect more short abbreviations like GG, NSFW and HMU to appear on the internet. Start by learning what SMH stands for and how to use it before it catches you off guard.
What is SMH?
SMH means head shake or head shake. It is used to express disapproval, disappointment, disappointment, or mistrust depending on the context. It is most often used in texting or chatting when someone says or does something that you disapprove of and you are looking for a quick and effective way to express your emotions.
When the situation escalates, users sometimes choose the stronger version of this acronym. Sometimes SMH can be used to refer to stupid people and hate. Although the meaning of the abbreviation does not change in these cases.
Another popular SMH variant is SMDH. This means shaking my goddamn head and is essentially a more expressive version of the original acronym.
Use examples
You will most likely see SMH being used in a text from a friend or in a group chat. However, it is also often used on social media like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat like #SMH.
Sometimes SMH is followed by a facepalm smiley – a person holding his hand to his head. Both are used to express frustration, distrust, or embarrassment with someone else’s words or actions.
You can also find SMH, which is used as part of the title or thumbnails of YouTube videos. This is a quick way to tell viewers your position on an issue raised in a video without overusing the title bar.
Origin of SMH
It is difficult to trace exactly where SMH came from. Although it seems that it first appeared in the Urban Dictionary in the early 2000s. It started spreading online around the same time as facepalm, but SMH eventually won the race and is now more widely used than the first.
SMH has followed the same path as all other trends on the Internet. His first appearance, most likely, happened on some forum or chat. It was then turned into memes and then used in GIFs that people sent to each other in messaging apps, until finally it became a popular hashtag used on social media. Today, people still occasionally use SMH in writing, although it is often replaced with face emoticons.
How to use SMH
If you want to start using SMH in your day to day communication, there are several ways to do it. Your choice will mainly depend on your communication style and the application or network you are using to chat.
Use SMH in text messages
If you mainly use instant messaging apps for day to day communication, you can start using the SMH acronym in its original text form. Make sure you only use it when the situation calls for it, otherwise people may get angry at your sudden change in communication style.
Use SMH in response to another person’s actions, a certain situation, or an event that has occurred. If you feel like you can’t find the right words to express your emotions, such as disbelief or disappointment, this is also the right time and place to use SMH.
As for the correct form of an acronym, there are no hard and fast rules as to how exactly it should look. Here are some options:
- SMH. Used alone and in capital letters to express your emotions.
- smh. Lowercase letters usually indicate a lower level of importance. A casual way to use an acronym without requiring immediate attention.
- SMH at the end of a phrase / message. When you still need to articulate what your problem with this person or situation is. Not as powerful as SMH used on its own.
SMH is not always used as is. Sometimes users add more letters to express a certain attitude. Some of the popular variations on this acronym are:
- SMHS. When you don’t want to look aggressive or emotional, but rather friendly and playful, you can use SMHS, which means shaking your head with a smile.
- SMDH. For maximum effect, you can use SMDH, which means shaking my damn head.
Use SMH as GIF or Emoji
If your main communication channels include social media sites, you can use SMH in the form of a funny GIF or emoticon instead. Since tools like GIPHY are now integrated into most social media apps, it’s easy to find and select the right GIF to attach to your post.
The right GIF can help you convey complex feelings that are difficult to express in language, all with zero waste of time.
How familiar are you with online slang?
SMH isn’t the only online acronym that might puzzle you when you see it in the text. Whether you choose to use it in your day to day communication or not, knowing your online slang can help you communicate with people of different backgrounds, ages and educational backgrounds.
Have you encountered SMH before? What other Internet acronyms have you used on Google to understand their meaning? Share with us your experience using online slang in the comments below.
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