Kids are handing in homework using acronyms and slang from text and instant messaging. There was a Times article about this a year ago, and it's surprising that we don't hear about it more, but given the low priority education is, compared to, oh, J. Lo, maybe it shouldn't be surprising. Take a look at this text- and instant-messaging translator - enter your phrase in normal parlance and then get the hot, short version. I tried it:
"Gothamist is my weblog of choice" becomes "Gothamist iz my weblog of choice."
"I love Gothamist!" becomes "I luv Gothamist."
Clearly, I'm too old for the lingo.
More instant messaging shorthand.