Texting has been around since at least the 1990s, and since its inception, it has grown dramatically in use and complexity. Individuals now send more than 100 billion messages every day, mainly using smartphones. There is even a slew of abbreviations known as text speak, which stands for digital shorthand. One of the most common abbreviations used in text speak is “mil,” which stands for “mom I’d like.”

The term mil is used in texting when someone would like something from their mom. This might be coming home for dinner, staying for the weekend, or whatever else that mom can provide. Usually it is not urgent and is used as a way to hint at both the sender and receiver of the request. It is a polite way of saying “please” or “would you mind?”

Mil is used most often by teenagers or young adults who are away from home, such as college students, people in the military, or people who have left home for a job. It is a way for them to express need for their mother’s help without asking directly and potentially coming off as needy or desperate.

For example, if a college student has exams coming up and needs help studying but they don’t want to seem too pushy, they might text their mom with “mil,” indicating that they would like her help but aren’t demanding it. Or if someone is leaving work late, they might text their mom to let her know they’ll be late for dinner and follow it up with “mil” to make sure she won’t be too upset with them.

It’s important to note that when using this abbreviation, it always stands for “Mom, I’d like…” and not for any other version. You shouldn’t use “mil” when asking for something from a friend, a partner, or anyone else, as that would be a confusing text to receive.

Overall, mil is a common abbreviation used in text speak for those who need to keep in touch with their mothers from a distance. It is a polite way for them to ask for help or guidance without seeming too demanding. If a mom receives a text with mil as the only message, she will know that it is her son or daughter asking for her help, and can then reply accordingly.