WYD Meaning
Last Updated:What does WYD mean?
WYD means what you doing.
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WYD is an initialism that stands for what you doing (what are you doing?). It is typically posed as a question.
It’s a good, quick way to ask somewhat what they’re up to at any moment in time. Unlike asking “what have you been up to?”, asking someone “WYD?” is asking about what they’re currently doing, and implies that you are trying to do something involving them.
Where is WYD used?
WYD is often used in texting and on any online platform that allows people to chat with each other. You’re more likely to see it in a message than as a comment.
WYD is used on the follow platforms and places:
- texting
- online conversation
- Discord
- Facebook Messenger
- Snapchat
- Telegram
- Twitch
How is WYD used?
WYD is typically used to initiate a conversation, unlike HMU, which is typically used to end a conversation or in passing (e.g. seeing someone in a store).
WYD is almost always used informally when communicating with people you know somewhat well; for instance, you wouldn’t use the initialism WYD in an email to your boss saying “WYD after lunch? I gotta talk to you about this project.” – you would actually say “what are you doing”. You probably would use the initialism if you wanted to quickly text your roommate asking them if they want something from the store while you’re there.
Many initialisms and slang terms mean slightly different things when used in different contexts.
You know those birds who do weird dances or make weird noises when they’re trying to mate? Well, a message that simply says “WYD” can be like that for younger people, depending on their relationship and time of day.
Do people say WYD out loud?
No, as it is not any faster; instead, people say “what are you doing”.
Example Uses of WYD
WYD after work? Want to go get something to eat?
A coworker messages another coworker to see if they want to go out and get something to eat after work.
Yo bro, WYD tomorrow? Weather is supposed to be nice.
A friends texts someone to see what their plans are for tomorrow. They may want to do something outdoors since the weather is going to be nice.
On Twitch:WYD with your YouTube channel? You haven't posted in a while!
Someone wants to know what a streamer intends to do with their dormant YouTube channel.
On Facebook Messenger:If I sell you this knife, WYD with it?
A seller wants to know what a prospective buyer intends to do with a knife they may sell to them.
On Instagram:WYD with your old username? Can I buy it from you?
An Instagram user wants someone else's old username after they changed it.
On Snapchat:WYD later today?
A friend wants to know what someone else is doing later.
Who uses WYD?
WYD may be used by pretty much anyone who grew up using initialisms and acronyms in online conversations. In general, users of this initialism tend to be younger.
History of WYD
First Use
We don’t know who the first person is to use the term, but it was first published on Urban Dictionary in 2009.
We suspect that it did indeed become a thing around that time, considering how more and more people were using cell phones and probably just wanted a quick way to asking what somewhat was doing by typing three characters rather than 14 (what you doing) or 18 (what are you doing).
Rise in Popularity
Since WYD is not a hashtag, it’s not possibly to really quantify how many people are using the initialism.
There have been memes that used the term which could perhaps have introduced some people to the term, but there’s no way of knowing for certain.
What was used before WYD?
Before WYD, people would just ask each other what they’re doing by saying “what are you doing?” or “what’s up?” or “what’s going on?”.