What Does “AMA” Mean, and How is it Used in a Chat?
The term “AMA” is more than just slang or abbreviation. On the grand scale, “AMA” is one of the biggest internet sensations in the modern-day digital world; just like NBD.
Why is AMA so important? What does it stand for? How can you use AMA in a chat?
I am sure you got lots of questions. So, let’s dive in.
AMA: Ask Me Anything
AMA stands for “Ask Me Anything.” What does that even mean?
Well, if your chat buddy texts “AMA” to you, they are ready to answer literally any question you ask them. AMA is most fit for people who are just catching up on old times. If you just met someone with a good vibe, you can start an AMA session with them. That way, they can ask you the most pressing personal questions on their mind without fear. This is different from the typical “truth or dare” type of questions; you want to take note of that.
SNL’s Donald Trump saying Ask Me Anything.
Aside from texting AMA in chat, people even host live Ask Me Anything threads with strangers online, especially on Reddit. If you join one of those AMA subreddits (r/AMA), someone might start by writing a message like this:
“I am a former NYPD detective, AMA.”
With that, everyone jumps on the thread to ask deeply personal questions about what being an NYPD detective feels like. Though subreddit mods advise everyone to be respectable, users can ask any type of question. In some subreddit, the identity of the stranger hosting the thread is confirmed so that people can get genuine responses.
But that’s not even the biggest treat about this abbreviation.
What’s more? Celebrities often host AMA sessions on Reddit, Twitter, Youtube, and even Facebook. In fact, celebrity AMAs are believed to be the reason for the popularity of the abbreviation. These sessions usually pull a lot of traffic from users and make tons of profit for the platform hosting the session. So, know any celebrity AMA going on somewhere, fire away!
Here is a screenshot of Keanu Reeves (John Wick) answering in an AMA with fans on Reddit 8 years ago
Keanu Reeves responds to fans in an AMA session on Reddit
How to Use AMA in Chat
Outside the celebrity QandAs and subreddit threads, using AMA in chats is easy. Provided that you establish that the chat is happening in an informal context. Contrarily, inviting the other person into an AMA is not appropriate for a formal chat. Even if you only want your account manager to know you’re ready to take any question about your account reconciliation; to show that you are confident; you should not use AMA.
Also, you want to use the abbreviation correctly by texting AMA instead of AmA, as most people mistakenly do. Although those familiar with the abbreviation would quickly recognize you meant “Ask Me Anything”, people who aren’t used to the term might take it out of context. So, you want to read the room before using the abbreviation, as you would for other chat slangs like LMK, NTY, and RN.
