- As with most clippings arising from texting, the reasoning behind this clipping is likely due to the added speed that texters get from truncating the word very. However, the letter v has been used (and continues to be used) as abbreviations for other words. For example, v. commonly stands as an abbreviation for verb and versus. However, the letter v used as an abbreviation of the word very in texting forgoes the abbreviating period, likely to save time for the person typing. Over time, the frequency with which v was used to stand for very has caused v to become a word in its own right. Many people nowadays not only read the v in texts as v rather than very, but they also have incorporated the word v into their everyday vocabulary as a substitute for its unclipped form.
v
clipping; adverb
A clipped form of the word very, the word v (pronounced exactly like the letter) is often used to replace its unclipped form in texting. However, recently, the use of v has transcended the texting realm and entered into regular speech. In colloquial settings, v can also be used to replace very.
Etymology : While v is its own root, its unclipped form, very, has etymological roots dating back to the Latin root verus, meaning “true”. The word very itself came into use as the way we use it today around the Middle English period.
Source : Friend: “How was your break?” Me: “I had food poisoning the whole time, so it sucked.” Friend: “Oh dang. V sad.” (Through text. 11-30-2019) Me: “How was the party last night?” Friend: “It was v lit!” (In person. 11-23-2019)
Last modified: 6 December 2019