## What does it mean?
Viral numeric slang uses **numbers** to represent words or phrases. It can have different meanings depending on the context.
## Etymology (where it comes from)
- The word "slang" comes from **Norwegian** *sleng*, meaning "to throw."
- "Numeric" comes from **Latin** *numerus*, meaning "number."
## Historical origin
- This slang likely began in the **United States** in the late 20th century.
- It grew with the rise of texting and online communication.
## Earliest records
- Early examples can be found in **online forums** and **text messages**.
## Variants and usage by country
- **Leetspeak** (often used in gaming)
- **SMS language** (common in texting)
- **Chat abbreviations** (used in online chats)
## Related words
- **Emoji** (symbols used for expression)
- **Acronyms** (initials representing phrases)
- **Colloquialisms** (informal words or phrases)