What Does the Abbreviation UWU Stand For?
According to Dictionary and Daily Dot, UWU isn’t typically used as an abbreviation. Instead, most uses of UWU are as an emoticon depicting a cute face. This emoticon is often used to convey happy or affectionate feelings – almost like blushing with happiness.
Your first reaction to seeing a new emoticon might be confusion. Luckily, just like the definition of UWU, most emoticons are fairly easy to understand.
UWU vs. OWO
UWU is closely related to OWO, another emoticon that conveys surprise, shock, or excitement. Variations of these two depend on what is capitalized or not, and include UwU, OwO, UWU, owo, and, occasionally, OwU.
UWU Is a Kaomoji
The emoticon UWU is considered a type of kaomoji, which is a Japanese “kawaii” emoticon. Kaomojis combine special characters to create emoticons that show different emotions.
This type of Japanese emoticon often uses Japanese writing to make the shape of a happy face or other expressions, and then is simplified into English characters – like in the case of UWU.
How Do You Pronounce UWU?
The correct pronunciation of UWU is “oo-woo.”
Can UWU Be Used as an Acronym?
UWU is not only used as an emoticon, but as an acronym. Take a look at this list of potential alternate meanings of UWU provided by The Free Dictionary.
- Unemployed Workers Union (Australia)
- Utilities Workers Union
- Uva Wellassa University (Sri Lanka)
What Is the Origin of the Emoticon UWU?
Emoticons were popular before the advent of the emoji and the emoji keyboard. The emoticon age is where we got the classic “:)” smiley face, as well as many others. These common emoticons were used on instant messengers like AIM, as well as in text messaging. Today, while emoji usage is more common, emoticons are still used on the internet, in text messages, and elsewhere.
Where You’ll Find Uses of UWU
This type of emoticon can be used on internet chat rooms, Twitter accounts, Instagram, 4Chan, TikTok, Facebook, and more. Emojis and emoticons have become so popular that kids can even dress up in emoji-themed costumes. There’s even The Emoji Movie.
Overall, emojis and emoticons have retained their popularity for years now. While emoticons aren’t quite as popular as emojis in the 2020s, UWU and other similar emoticons are just as relevant today as ever.
Let’s take a look back in time at some of the earliest online uses of UWU and how it became the cultural phenomenon that it is today.
The Earliest Uses of UWU
UWU has been used since at least 2005 in forums discussing anime and manga fan fiction sites. However, UWU went mainstream when Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, posted about the abbreviation on Twitter. It got a lot of mainstream attention after this post.
UWU and Internet Subcultures
This emoticon also had widespread usage in the online furry community. Furries are people who dress up as anthropomorphic animals, often for sexual reasons. This internet subculture has become associated with the UWU and OWO emoticons.
UWU is also the namesake for the “UWU girl” subculture, which refers to the sexualization of young anime girls. An UWU girl is usually a teenage girl, and is suggestive but in a childlike way. This subculture has created considerable controversy on the internet.
Someone might use the term UWU when they are being cute or coy, such as “UwU Jenni you’re so cute, I wanna hold hands” or, “Violet the cute tech reporter wanted to look at my gadgets UWU.”
Is UWU Inappropriate?
Because of its association with the furry community, this emoticon’s meaning can be misconstrued into an inappropriate comment depending on the context of its use. Make sure that if you are going to use UWU, you understand the overall effect and key aspects of the meaning that could be misunderstood.
Other Slang Terms and Emoticons
UWU is one of many different slang terms that can be used in text messaging or on the internet. Take a look at all of the internet slang terms Zip Whip lists and see how many you know!
- HMU: Hit me up
- Bestie: a best friend or term of endearment
- HBU: How about you?
- G2G: Got to go
- OTOH: On the other hand
- OOTD: Outfit of the day
- LOL: Laughing out loud
- OOO: Out of office
- TY: Thank you
- OMG: Oh my god/gosh
- MSG: Message
- IDK: I don’t know
- ISTG: I swear to god
- FWIW: For what it’s worth
- RN: Right now
- COB: Close of business
- BDAY: Birthday
- DIY: Do it yourself
- THX: Thanks
- Tea: Gossip, drama
- IRL: In real life
- TBA: To be announced
- OFC: Of course
- YOLO: You only live once
- IKR: I know, right
- TMI: Too much information
- PNL: Peace & love
- NVM: Nevermind
- TBH: To be honest
- EOD: End of day
- HTH: Hope this helps
- AMA: Ask me anything
- IMHO: In my humble/honest opinion
- FTFY: Fixed that for you
- SMH: Shaking my head
- NBD: No big deal
- KMN: Kill me know
- Yeet: To throw something or used as an exclamation
- IG: Instagram
- SFLR: Sorry for the late reply
- BBL: Be back later
- TTYL: Talk to you later
- F2F: Face to face
- POV: Point of view
- WYD: What are you doing?
- XD: Laughter
- V: Very
- IFYP: I feel your pain
Recap
Most of the time, the UWU emoticon is used to show cuteness and affection. This emoticon is popular in anime fanfiction and the furry community, and the original meaning comes from Japanese emoticons. In addition, UWU is far from the only emoticon out there. Its contemporaries include OWO, OwU, and more.
Sources:
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.
