What Does Etc Mean In Texting? (Answered!)

Etc is a Latin phrase which stands for et cetera, which literally means “and the rest”. It’s a way of ending a list without listing the rest of the things that are actually on it. It’s meant in texting the same way it’s used in standard written form. “I need fruit. Apples, pears, oranges, etc” for example.

When you see someone say etc in text, then, you can rest assured that it is the same as the meaning you may already be familiar with.

It’s basically like saying “and so on” rather than continuing to list the actual nouns.

Let’s find out more.

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What does etc stand for in texting?

Etc stands for et cetera.

This is a common device used in all sorts of contexts, in both written and spoken English.

It can be used in formal, academic writing, but it can also be used, in basically the same way, over text messages.

Let’s look at what it literally means to say this.

Etc is a device used to bring a short list to an end, while implying that there are many more things that could be included on that list.

“Does we have any spices at home? Cumin, paprika, etc? I’m just at the store,” for example.

You’re not just naming those two things and then ending the list.

However, it would also be pointless to just start listing every spice out there.

So, instead, you simply substitute “etc.”

As I mentioned, et cetera is actually a Latin phrase.

I’ll get into exactly how it came to be used in English in this way shortly.

In Latin, et means “and” and cetera means “the rest”.

So, you’re literally saying “and the rest”, linguistically encompassing literally everything else that could be included in the category.

In texting, it’s generally just used as a shorthand device, inviting the reader to think themselves about what they might mean to save time rather than listing everything.

In more formal academic writing, its use is generally discouraged, as you’d be better to actually list the things you’re talking about to the best extent possible.

Obviously this is very different from texting, but it’s worth understanding how it’s used in all contexts.

Where does this come from, then?

Where does etc come from?

Given that it’s a Latin phrase, you won’t be surprised to know that this term is extremely old.

However, perhaps not quite as old as you might think.

It wasn’t really something the Romans themselves used.

Our earliest records of the use of this phrase date back to the Middle English period, in particular the 15^th Century.

It had largely the same meaning and was used mostly in academic settings since it was the priests and scholars who could read Latin.

However, for a very long time, it was written in a different form. It was almost always abbreviated to “&c”. It wasn’t until around the middle of the 20^th Century that it became etc.

The meaning was the same, just spelled out differently.

Texting slang, even from its earliest stages, was always looking for shorthand ways of saying things.

Typing everything out on an alphanumeric keyboard was laborious.

Thus, etc fit right into texting slang, and we can see that it was adopted from the early 1990s when mobile phones were first being used.

Though it can seem quite opaque and intellectual when broken down into its Latin, the phrase has always been in common use in spoken and written language, so it made its way quickly into informal texting slang.

Does it have any other meanings today?

What does etc mean on social media?

Etc on social media generally still means the same thing. It’s just a way of saying “and everything else” when talking about things that are grouped together in some way.

There are any numbers of ways you might use it on social media.

“I’m having a great time, partying, chilling, relaxing etc” for example.

This is almost a sort of semi-ironic use of it, which has caught on with Twitter in particular.

It’s used where extra meaning is not necessary. “Partying, chilling and relaxing” all sort of mean the same thing here.

It’s a jokey way of laboring a point needlessly.

Other than that, it has precisely the same meaning as it would anywhere else. It just means “and all the rest”.

How do you pronounce this term, then?

How do you pronounce etc?

Though you might be daunted by having to pronounce Latin, you’ll be glad to hear that this one is more or less phonetic in its pronunciation.

“Et cetera” is pronounced “eht setera”. The only thing to be aware of is that C has the value of S, and not of K.

Other than that, it is entirely phonetical, and so relatively easy to pronounce!

Some might choose to say it outloud as “E-T-C”. It’s certainly a lot more common for people to spell it and never say it out loud than the other way around.

So, now you can impress your friends with your knowledge of Latin the next time someone uses this phrase.

It’s commonly used in all areas of English, both standard English, spoken slang, and written text slang.

It is even used in other languages since it derives from Latin. It definitely gets a lot more use in written English than spoken, so you can be sure this is what it means when someone texts it to you.

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Founder - @PollyWebster

Polly Webster is the founder of Foreign Lingo and a seasoned traveler with a decade of exploration under her belt.

Over the past 10 years, she has journeyed to numerous countries around the globe, immersing herself in diverse cultures, traditions, and languages.

Drawing from her rich experiences, Polly now writes insightful articles about travel, languages, traditions, and cultures, sharing her unique perspectives and invaluable tips with her readers.

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