In the modern era of texting, shorthand notations have become so commonplace that it’s hard to tell what acronyms actually stand for. One of these acronyms, ATM, has been trending lately and confusion around its standing has flourished. In this article, we’ll discuss what ATM stands for and how you can use it when texting.

ATM stands for “at the moment” and is used to indicate that you’re in the middle of something, most likely at the time of the text. It’s often used when you’re running late or otherwise busy but can’t fully commit to what you’re doing at the moment. It’s a way to let someone know you’re actively engaged in something without fully committing to it.

For example, if you’re on the way to dinner but are running late, you can text your friend and say “Sorry, running late. ATM”. This lets them know you’re running late and are actively engaged in something, without getting into the specifics. It’s also a polite way to let someone on the other end know that you’re running late without pushing it off on them, as it’s more of an FYI than an excuse.

This acronym can also be used if you’re asking someone to do something and they don’t commit to it right away. You can reply with “Do you want to do it ATM?” This puts the onus back on them and gives them a chance to further explain why they can or can’t do it “at the moment”.

It’s important to note that this acronym should not be used as a way to brush someone off or be dismissive. This acronym is a more polite way of indicating that you’re busy without having to fully explain what you’re doing or why you can’t commit. The person on the receiving end may still push back and ask what you’re doing, so be prepared to explain yourself if necessary.

To conclude, ATM is short for “at the moment” and is used to indicate that you’re in the middle of something. It is a polite way of saying you can’t or won’t commit to something fully at the current moment, while still being courteous to the person on the other end. To ensure you’re not being too dismissive of the other person, be ready to explain yourself if they push back and ask why you’re using this acronym.