What does LOML mean?
LOML means – In the current era of the Internet of Things , we are not only internet users, but we have also become part of it. There isn’t a day without social media, YouTube, online games and so on.
Even after PPKM was implemented, ways of interacting via the internet are increasingly diverse. We can chat via instant messaging applications such as Whatsapp or Telegram, see the person we are talking to directly via the video call feature , have meetings, discussions, seminars, study from home using Zoom, and much more.
The more often we interact via the internet, without realizing it, our language styles begin to change. The use of slang, both Indonesian and English, seems unavoidable.
Sometimes we are even tempted to use slang that we don’t know the meaning of. However, to establish good communication, understanding the meaning and context of a word/abbreviation/term is important. If not, there will be miscommunication.
For example, LOML has recently been widely used in conversations on social media. Grameds may often see this abbreviation on Twitter timelines or read it in friends’ WhatsApp chats .
For those who understand, this is certainly not a big problem. However, for those who don’t understand, the question will definitely arise within themselves, “What does LOML mean, huh?” Unfortunately, when you look up the meaning in the dictionary, you can’t find the definition of LOML. In the end, you end up confusing yourself.
Therefore, in this article, we will discuss LOML and slang that is often used by netizens when interacting on social media.
Table of Contents
- Meaning of the word LOML
- How Loml Is Used In Interaction
- Examples of Using LOML in Daily Conversation
- Example 1
- Example 2
- Example 3
- Other Frequently Used English Slang Terms
- ILYSM
- BF and GF
- XOXO
- QTPI
- LU2
- WIDE
- DGMW
- Bae
- SALTY
- GTG
- Why do we often use slang in daily conversations?
- The Reason We Use Two Languages When Communicating
- Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Two Languages In Conversation
- Relationship Related Knowledge Category
- Article Relationship
Meaning of the word LOML
In fact, LOML is an abbreviation of the phrase “Love of My Life” which literally means “love of my life”. Usually, this abbreviation is used to show affection, love or ownership.
In non-standard Indonesian, LOML means the same as “my soulmate” or “my true love”. Because of this, there are also people who use LOML to joke or tease other people, whether they are friends, close friends or co-workers.
For example, you are relaxing in your boarding room while enjoying your time off, then suddenly a friend gives you the news that he is on his way to your place, bringing a portion of meatballs complete with sweet tea. To convey your gratitude, you reply to the message with the sentence “Just so you know, I want meatballs, thanks. You are indeed suitable to be my LOML.”
Apart from LOML, there is another variation, namely OTLOML which stands for “One True Love of My Life”. The meaning is still the same as LOML, only the meaning is emphasized more by adding the words “One True” at the beginning.
How Loml Is Used In Interaction
When used literally, LOML means “my soulmate” or “my true love.” This means that LOML can only be used on people who truly deserve the status of soul mate or true love, such as husband or wife, parents, fiancé, or boyfriend.
On the other hand, when used figuratively, LOML means it can be a joke. This means LOML can add a touch of humor to the conversation. In other words, LOML can be “sent” to anyone.
Grameds can use LOML in several situations or circumstances, for example:
- Say thank you to repay the kindness of friends, family, colleagues or friends
- Upload photos of your favorite food
- Upload photos of pets at home or cute animals.
- Upload photos of your favorite items.
- Upload a photo of your idol.
Examples of Using LOML in Daily Conversation
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Example 1
Your friend: “Duh, I think he’s the right person to be my LOML, right? Ha ha ha. That’s really good, 10/10.”
You: “Amen, but don’t rush either. Remember, you and him just became together last month. There are still many other possibilities that could happen.”
In this first example, LOML means “soul mate” aka it is used literally and your friend really feels that way.
Example 2
Your friend: “Eh, you’re staying at my house this weekend, okay? The people from home are leaving for your house.”
You: “Okay, then I’ll ask my mom to cook your favorite food then, okay? So we don’t have to cook.”
Your friend: “Great idea! You are indeed suitable to be my LOML! ha ha ha”
In the conversation above, your friend uses LOML as humor because you and your friend are not in a romantic relationship.
Example 3
Let’s say you are playing with your pet cat at home, then you upload a photo or video of it to social media while adding the words LOML to the upload. In situations like this, you are using LOML to show love and affection to your pet.
Other Frequently Used English Slang Terms
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The use of slang, prokem, or slang in daily conversations in Indonesian society actually started decades ago. Even the word “bokap” which is often used to replace the word “father” was born in the 1970s.
However, in the past the spread of slang was not as massive as it is now because it took time to “bring” it from one place to another. After social media became a part of our lives, slang spread quickly, some even used “slang” English.
So, below are several English slang terms that are often used by netizens when interacting on social media.
- ILYSM
ILYSM is an abbreviation of the sentence “I love you so much” which means I love you very much. Of course, this sentence is only used to express feelings or what is in your heart. Some people prefer ILYSM because it is more efficient and saves time.
- BF and GF
BF is an abbreviation for boyfriend, aka boyfriend, while GF is an abbreviation for girlfriend or girlfriend. The terms BF and GF are often used literally because they are more efficient.
- XOXO
Xoxo is slang which means kiss and hug. The letter “X” represents a kiss and O represents a hug. Generally, this term is used to encourage or comfort your partner.
- QTPI
The term QTPI is an abbreviation of the phrase “cutie pie” which means “cute and funny”. This term is often used literally by young people when dating on instant messaging applications. QTPI is usually their affectionate nickname for their partner.
5.LU2
LU2 or lu tu not lulu is an abbreviation of the “love you too” clause which is often used when receiving the expression “I love you” from a partner. Unfortunately, this term is not very popular, so it might be quite difficult for you to see it on social media. But you can use it on your girlfriend.
- WIDE
WYD is a term used to replace “what are you doing”. So if you want to ask what your partner is doing, try using this term. Not bad, isn’t it, more efficient and faster than having to type “what are you doing?”.
- DGMW
DGMW is often used to replace the sentence “don’t get me wrong” which means don’t get me wrong. You can use this term when you are having an argument or want to explain something to your partner.
- Bae
Just like QTPI, Bae is also commonly used as a term of affection for your partner. Bae itself means soul mate or boyfriend. So, you can use this term to call people you care about.
- SALTY
Salty is slang which represents salt. Often used to comment harshly on someone’s statements on social media. According to Uda Ivan Lanin, salty means the same as diesel or sarcastic.
- GTG
GTG is an abbreviation of “gotta go” or “got to go” which means I have to go. This term is usually used when someone wants to end a conversation because they have something to do.
For more details, you can check the table below:
| English Slang | Meaning |
| LOL | Abbreviation for “Laugh Out Loud” or laugh out loud. Usually used to show that the user is laughing. |
| LMAO | It is short for “Laughing My Ass Off” or laughing out loud. |
| GWS | Abbreviation for “Get Well Soon” which means get well soon. Recently, GWS has often been used when in situations that cause panic, such as “I was focused on playing on my cellphone in class and suddenly the teacher called me, it’s really GWS.” |
| CMIIW | It stands for “Correct me if I’m wrong” and is usually used when discussing on social media with the aim of asking the person you are talking to to correct the user if they write a wrong comment or opinion. |
| FYI | Abbreviation for “For Your Information” which literally means “as information”. Often used when sending important information. |
| HBU | Short for “How About You?” which means “how about you?”. Often used to ask questions back to the person you are talking to or when getting to know new friends on social media. |
| Ghosting | A term to describe behavior that simply cuts off all communication, without any explanation. It was as if he had disappeared from the world, like a ghost. |
| OOT | Abbreviation for “out of topic” which means “off topic”. Usually used during discussions if a participant leaves the topic of discussion. |
| IMO | Abbreviation of “In my opinion” which means “in my opinion”. Often used when you want to convey an opinion during a discussion. |
Why do we often use slang in daily conversations?
Language, basically, is a flexible communication tool. This means that as long as you and the person you are talking to understand each other, you can use any language or terms.
With today’s technological developments, we are influenced a lot by foreign culture, including in speaking. Because of this, we can easily adopt English slang that is often found on social media.
However, language is like that, it will continue to change with the times. This can have both good and bad impacts, depending on how much change occurs.
Nowadays, we may often mix Indonesian with English in everyday conversations. One day it is not impossible that we will forget Indonesian, if this habit continues to be maintained.
How did it happen? Let’s discuss a little further the phenomenon of code switching , aka code switching.
The Reason We Use Two Languages When Communicating
Hamdani & Murny (2022) in their research found that 20 students mixed Indonesian with English because they “did not know the relevant vocabulary in Indonesian”.
Meanwhile, 10 other students actually “accidentally combined Indonesian sentences with English vocabulary”. Some even deliberately use foreign languages to appear intelligent.
Furthermore, Swandy (2017) said that some people use slang in Indonesian to make communication more relaxed, less stiff, easier, and to become more familiar with the person they are talking to.
Apart from that, there are also those who use slang because they feel awkward if they have to use standard language when communicating in everyday life. Maybe because standard language is often used in formal situations, so that when used in everyday life, the communication that occurs feels “more formal”,
From all these reasons, it can be concluded that some of us choose to use a foreign language because we are not used to speaking good and correct Indonesian. In fact, speaking good and correct Indonesian is a form of effort to preserve authentic Indonesian culture, you know.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Two Languages In Conversation
Regardless of the reason, it cannot be denied that code switching has several benefits for our lives. By getting used to using a foreign language, we will become more proficient and can hone our foreign language skills so that we can interact more fluently with people from abroad.
We can also get closer to friends or the person we are talking to without having to be shy or awkward. As a result, the relationship between us and our friends will become more intimate, which means the relationship is maintained well.
However, if seen from another perspective, this code switching phenomenon could be a threat to our national language, Indonesian. For example, we may no longer feel enthusiastic about using good and correct Indonesian.
If it’s like this, we will definitely have difficulty when we are in a situation that requires us to use Indonesian. Such as when writing a thesis, attending a formal event, or something else.
Apart from that, we will master English more than Indonesian. In fact, we may be satisfied with our existing Indonesian language skills. To prove it, try answering these questions:
“Which do you open more often, between the English dictionary and the Indonesian dictionary?”
If you speak English more often, then don’t be surprised if you have difficulty finding the right vocabulary to express your feelings in Indonesian. Which in the end, makes you choose the shortcut of inserting English into Indonesian.
Once we get used to using English, it will be easier for us to get caught in situations that make us not appreciate Indonesian. In the end, the position of Indonesian is below English.
If left alone, Indonesian will become extinct because no one will use it anymore. If not all, some words in Indonesian will start to sound foreign to the ear.
And this is already starting to happen. The word “ticket” is now rarely used because people more often use the word “ticket” or even “e-ticket”. In the context of slang, there are the words “kimpoy” and “meneketehe” which used to be often used but now seem to have disappeared without a trace.
What’s worse, we can become big-headed and think Indonesian is easy and don’t need to study further because we feel we are already proficient. In fact, what we master is spoken language, while standard written language is far from proficient.