Have you seen the term 'hmu' in the context of a discussion with anyone on social media and would like to know more about what the term could mean? The term 'hmu' is one of the most common text-based abbreviations in direct conversation. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this term.
Meaning
The term 'hmu' or 'HMU' is a common text-based abbreviation that is used as a shorter way to say the slang term “Hit Me Up” to others.
The expression “hit me up” is said between acquaintances or friends when they meet and want to speak again, or the term can be used to say “contact me”.
If one person wants to get in touch with another, then the term 'hmu' implies that there is going to be further communication – or that one person wants another person to contact them.
There is an alternative meaning of the term 'hmu' that is used less often on the internet as a joke, and stands for “hold my unicorn”. When this term is said, it jokes at the number of internet acronyms that also mean other totally unrelated things at the same time.
The joking use of 'hmu' is considered less common than its main use between other users on social media.
The term can sometimes be used as a hashtag or status, but it is much more common as a comment or direct-message abbreviation.
Both capitals and lowercase 'hmu' versus 'HMU' are considered acceptable when the term is used on social media.
The term is sometimes written out in full, but this use of the term is rare.
Example Usage
“I like your eyes and I'd like to talk to you a whole lot more these days. #hitmeup”
“I don't have a lot of time now, but I'd like to talk to you about your idea for space investment. I think it's going to be great to beam cats up to space and make them mine us some BitCoin. What could go wrong? Hit me up next week and let's talk.”
“If you guys are going to the store later, hmu and I'll join you.”
“Hmu and I'll send you pictures of everything you don't want to see on a Tuesday afternoon.”
Origin
The term 'hmu' is considered to be one of the earliest internet acronyms in use, and its early use is difficult to trace to its exact date but accepted to have arose some time in the 1990s with the use of shorter terms for message boards.
As the internet progressed, the term experienced more widespread use on the internet in the further 2000s. Text messaging would only increase the spread of most internet-based acronyms such as these.
The term 'HMU' is likely to have become even more popular in the mid-2010s due to the increased use on character limited social media websites such as Instagram and Twitter.
The term 'HMU' for “Hold My Unicorn” first began to appear from the year 2010 on Urban Dictionary, and it is still sometimes used as a joking term. The meaning is often clear from the rest of the discussion or post.
Phrases Similar to hmu
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Phrases Opposite to hmu
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What is the Correct Saying?
- Hmu
- HMU
- hmu
Ways People May Say hmu Incorrectly
There are several different ways in which the term 'hmu' can be used in the wrong way, or interpreted in the wrong context.
The term is generally accepted as a way for one person to request contact from another, although there are other ways in which the term can be used.
Sometimes, the term 'hmu' is said to stand for “Hold My Unicorn” as a joke.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase hmu
There are several ways in which the term 'HMU' can be used gramatically, although all of the accepted uses are still considered short for “Hit Me Up” when one person wants to contact another.
The term 'HMU' can be written in capitals, though is sometimes written in lowercase to save even further time in the context of a quick discussion.
The most common use of the term 'HMU' is in direct conversation, though it can also be used as a comment or a tag.