What does “IG” stand for and how is it used?

In SMS and instant messaging, IG commonly stands for “I Guess”. It is used to agree with a statement or message while showing uncertainty or lack of enthusiasm.

Have you ever wondered what “IG” stands for or what does it mean in a text message? No need to guess the meaning – we have all the answers you need to this acronym online.

the guess

IG commonly stands for “I guess” when seen in text messages and online messages. Shows uncertainty or lack of enthusiasm for a statement or question. For example, “That would be nice, ig” or “IG, you can borrow my favorite heels if you’re careful.”

It can have a slightly passive-aggressive undertone and is sometimes used in lieu of an open statement of disbelief. Replying to a message with “IG” is similar to someone using “Whatever” or “W/E” to answer a question.

IG can also be used as a shortened form of “Instagram”. As with other Internet abbreviations, context helps determine the meaning of IG in a sentence. If someone types “Check out my IG”, it should be obvious that they are referring to the social media platform and not using it to say “I guess”.

IG story

The acronym IG has been in use since at least the early 2000s, when the popularity of SMS and instant messaging really took hold. This period is abuzz with SMS and internet slang and has given rise to many of the best-known abbreviations and initials that are still in use today. The use of IG to mean “I guess” remained constant until social media came along.

It also began to be used to refer to Instagram shortly after the social media app’s launch in 2010. Similarly, Facebook is often abbreviated as “fb” in online chats. Strangely, you rarely see other social networking sites initialized this way. Snapchat, for example, will probably be abbreviated to “Snap” rather than “SC.”

There are a few other known uses for IG, aside from the Instagram meaning. They are not very widespread and, in some cases, they are specific to a particular activity. For example, IG can mean “In the game” when talking about video games or gaming. Some people may also occasionally use it to mean “Ignore” or “ignore that”.

How is IG used in the text?

As mentioned above, IG can be used as a yes answer, mixed with a degree of uncertainty. It is usually written as “ig” but can also appear in upper case. It can be used at the end of a previous sentence/message or as a standalone response.

Here are some examples:

• “If you’re desperate, you can borrow mine, ig”
• Q: “Do you want to hang out tonight?” A: “GI”
• “IG that could work”
• “I have no choice ig”

IG usage may not be as common as LOL or IDK, but that doesn’t mean it won’t show up in online conversations. Having a better understanding of internet abbreviations can help improve communication in a tech-savvy world.