The internet is full of confusing slang. One term you might have come across is HMU. It’s used all over the place: on social media, chats and texts, and even dating apps. But what does HMU mean?
In this article we detail what HMU means and give you examples of how, where, and when to use it.
What Does HMU Mean?
HMU stands for Hit Me Up. It’s an invitation for someone to get in touch with you. Often, as is the style these days, it isn’t capitalized.
If you want a girl who drinks literally one glass of wine and is absolutely obliterated… I’m your girl, hmu
— amanda (@amanda_c_rae) December 2, 2019
The original context for saying “hit me up” to someone would be when asking for something, usually money. For example, “My brother hit me up because his business went bankrupt.”
While it can still mean that, the definition has expanded to encourage contact. As in, message me, get in touch, or you know where I am if you need me. If you see the acronym HMU online, that’s likely what people mean.
A 2010 entry to Urban Dictionary popularized the joke that HMU stands for hold my unicorn, but that has no basis in fact. Since that definition was submitted by user UnicornLover238, you could even say they have a bias.
Where Can You Use HMU?
HMU is used online, primarily on social media websites like Twitter and Facebook, or chat apps like Snapchat or WhatsApp.
While you might say “hit me up” out loud, the acronym hasn’t entered common parlance, so only use HMU online.
There are different situations in which you can use HMU. Here they are alongside examples:
- Suggestion to meet up, either at a specific time or at some point in the future. For example, “We should go see that new movie! hmu when you’re free.”
- Request for something, like asking for recommendations or opinions. For example, “Where should I go for lunch? hmu with ideas.”
- Flirting, to encourage conversation or a date, and can be used on dating apps like Tinder or Bumble. For example, “hmu if you like animals, travel, and gingerbread cookies.”
- Providing contact details, like your phone number or email address. For example, “If you want to chat, hmu on email@example.com.”
When Did HMU Originate?
According to Facebook, the acronym HMU was unheard-of in early 2009. Only a couple of posts per day included it, many of which were likely typos.
Come May of that same year, the term was growing, averaging 20 posts a day. It continued to double each month. In 2010, that growth rapidly accelerated, increasing at a rate of 75 percent each month. At the end of that summer, HMU was at 80000 daily mentions.
Interestingly, HMU was used evenly throughout the summer, on account of youngsters having lots of spare time on their hands. But when the kids went back to school, the term became more frequently used during weekends.
You can also track the rise of HMU on Google Trends, which correlates with what Facebook found. The related searches for the term are all variations on “what does hmu mean”, which makes sense—as mentioned, people use HMU within chats and on social media, rather than as a standard word in Google searches.
Get Hip With More Slang Terms
HMU may have gained popularity in 2010, but it still remains a common slang term to use online today. And now that you know what HMU means, you can start using this particular acronym with confidence.
If you want to expand your dictionary of slang words and phrases, here are the trendy internet acronyms you need to know.
Read the full article: What Does HMU Mean and Where Can You Use It?
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