Did you send a text to which someone replied "IDTS"?
While this abbreviation has multiple meanings, they are unlikely to be referring to an integrated data transport system or an integrated development test schedule. Rather, the person is disagreeing with you.
This post explores the meaning and origin of IDTS.
Meaning
The modern internet abbreviation IDTS simply stands for "I don't think so".
As such, IDTS can have multiple related but distinct meanings:
- I am not 100% sure, but I think what you said isn't true.
- No.
- Absolutely no way.
The abbreviation IDTS is mainly used in text messages or within messaging apps such as Whatsapp, but it can also be found in public posts on social media platforms such as Twitter or Facebook.
Example Usage
You might reply IDTS, meaning "I don't think so", to any of the example sentences below, in which case you would be conveying that you lean toward thinking that the answer to the question being asked is "no", or you are saying "no" in a snarky way:
- Is Boston in Pennsylvania?
- Are you busy tonight?
- Would you like to go on a date with me?
- Did you do well on that chemistry test?
- Brad is so hot.
Origin
"I don't think so" has long been one of the most used phrases in the English language. No matter who we are, we can all find a use for this phrase occasionally — and often even on a daily basis.
The first-ever SMS message (text message) was sent in 1992, by someone called Neil Papworth, but this new mode of communication truly became popular in the late 1990s.
The earliest mass social media platforms made their appearance in the early 2000s, and MySpace was the first platform to host a million active users a month in 2004.
Both of these relatively novel forms of communication altered the ways in which people talk to one another forever. Whether due to character limits or because of laziness and a tendency to be a prolific writer, brevity and ease of typing gradually became very important to people.
This is how the abbreviation IDTS, meaning "I don't think so", entered the popular lexicon.
IDTS was first defined on Urban Dictionary in 2004, with the note that it was designed for "lazy people who abbreviate". Judging by the steady rate at which new definitions were added, including in 2022, IDTS remains as popular as ever.
Phrases Similar to IDTS
- Use the abbreviation "IDT" to mean "I don't think", after which you can continue elaborating at will.
- Use the abbreviation "SMH", meaning "shaking my head", to make it clear that you don't just disagree, but also think that the person you're talking to is being ridiculous.
- Use the abbreviation "IDGAF", meaning "I don't give a fuck", to make it clear that you don't care about the opinion the other person is expressing at all.
- Simply say "no" if that is what you had intended to say.
Phrases Opposite to IDTS
To indicate agreement or affirmation, you can say:
- "OFC", meaning "of course".
- "IAWT", meaning "I agree with that".
- Totally.
- Yeah.
What Is the Correct Saying?
The correct abbreviation is "IDTS", meaning "I don't think so".
Ways People May Say IDTS Incorrectly
The phrase "I don't think so", abbreviated to "IDTS", is a common part of everyday language. It is very hard to get this phrase wrong.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase IDTS
You can use the abbreviation IDTS to let someone who asked you a question via text message or social media DMs know that you believe something isn't so, but you are not completely certain.
You could also choose to use IDTS to let someone know that there is no way you would agree to something, in a snarky and slightly passive aggressive manner. In many cases, the phrase IDTS is used where "no" could have been substituted instead.