OMG means 'oh my God'. Merriam-Webster defines it as an abbreviation used in emails and texts to show something is surprising, shocking or thrilling. Some people read it as 'oh my gosh' or 'oh my goodness' to avoid offence. Its first known use was in a 1917 letter to Winston Churchill, decades before texting.
OMG might be the most famous internet abbreviation of all, so it's a surprise that it was first written by a First World War admiral. Here's what it means, how it's used, its remarkable origin and the handful of OMGs that have nothing to do with surprise.
How OMG gets used
OMG is a reaction. Wiktionary describes it as an exclamation of excitement, surprise or shock, and lists it alongside other words in its thesaurus entry for wow. You can use it for good news, bad news or simply something weird.
- 'OMG, I just won tickets to a concert!' Wiktionary's own example of excitement.
- 'OMG, really?' Shock at a story, also from Wiktionary.
- 'omg the cat's stuck in the curtains again' Amused disbelief.
Merriam-Webster quotes the writer Janet Malcolm describing young people's harmless email chatter, beginning 'OMG! I was playing yesterday, when this really CUTE boy rode up on his bike', and comparing it to the notes people used to pass in class. That's the classic register: breathless, excited and a bit dramatic.
The 1917 letter to Churchill
Here's the story that makes OMG special. Wiktionary records its first attestation in a letter dated 9 September 1917 from John Fisher, the retired admiral, to Winston Churchill. Fisher wrote that he'd heard a new order of knighthood was on the tapis, 'O.M.G. (Oh! My God!)', and suggested it be showered on the Admiralty.
Wiktionary says the first use was also intended as a pun on the Order of St Michael and St George, a real British order whose ranks use initials like CMG. In other words, Fisher was joking about honours and initials at the same time. Wiktionary cites the Oxford English Dictionary entry from 2011 and a New Yorker piece from August 2012 titled 'Letter to Churchill May Contain First OMG'.
So the next time someone calls OMG lazy text speak, you can point out it was first written in fountain pen by an admiral.
Oh my God, gosh or goodness?
The letters stand for oh my God, but Wiktionary notes OMG is sometimes glossed using minced oaths to avoid offence: oh my gosh or oh my goodness. Its usage note says that because it invokes God, OMG may be considered offensive by some, although that can be softened by saying you mean one of the minced versions.
In practice, most people type OMG without thinking about the words underneath. But in some families, schools and faith communities it still matters. If you're not sure how a reader will take it, 'wow' or 'I can't believe it' does the same job. My guide to OML covers a close cousin, oh my Lord, which raises the same question.
OMG variations: OMFG, zOMG and more
Wiktionary lists several forms and offshoots:
| Form | Meaning | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| omg, O.M.G., O-M-G | Alternative spellings | Same meaning |
| oh em gee | OMG written out as it sounds | Playful, ironic |
| OMFG | OMG with a swear word added | Much stronger, vulgar |
| zOMG, ZOMG | A gaming and forum variant | Mock excitement |
| OMG particle | A nickname used in physics | Scientific |
The oh em gee spelling is a favourite in captions, because it turns the abbreviation back into a phrase with a wink. OMFG is the one to keep away from work chats and children.
OMG in other languages
OMG has travelled. Wiktionary records German OMG, borrowed from English, read as oh mein Gott. French has OMG too, but Wiktionary lists it as an alternative form of OGM, the French equivalent of GMO, genetically modified organism. So OMG on a French food label has nothing to do with surprise.
Other OMGs
Wiktionary lists a few more:
- Object Management Group, a computing standards body.
- Orkney Manifesto Group, a historical group in UK politics.
- Outlaw motorcycle gang, a term used in policing and news reports.
If you see OMG in a news story about crime or in a technical document, check the context before assuming someone's excited.
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Is OMG overused?
Probably, which is part of its charm. Because everyone knows it, OMG works across generations in a way newer slang doesn't. Your gran and your teenager both understand it. That makes it handy, but it also means it carries less punch than it once did. If you want a reaction to stand out, saying why you're excited works better than three letters.
Once you have this one down, the TTFN meaning page is a useful follow-up.
How to reply to OMG
Match the energy. If a friend sends 'OMG I got the job', they want a celebration back: 'Amazing, well done!' or a row of party emojis. If it's 'omg' in reply to your bad news, they're sympathising, and a short 'I know' keeps it human. And if the OMG comes with a screenshot, they're inviting you to react to whatever's in it, so look before you reply.
One more tip: OMG in capitals tends to read as louder than omg in lower case. All caps is breathless excitement or real shock. Lower case is often a smaller, amused reaction.
Parents and teachers who want to follow what young people type can start with our guide to OMW.
Should a brand use OMG?
In playful consumer marketing, OMG is everywhere, from sale banners to product names, and it's widely understood. The two things I'd watch are tone and audience. For some customers, the God reference still jars, and for professional services it can sound breathless. Used occasionally, for news that really is exciting, it works. Used on every post, it becomes noise. And if you're writing a longer caption, BTW is the friendlier way to slip in an extra detail without shouting.
Frequently asked questions
What does OMG mean?
It means 'oh my God', a reaction to something surprising, shocking or exciting.
Does OMG mean oh my gosh?
It can. Wiktionary says it's sometimes glossed as oh my gosh or oh my goodness to avoid offence.
When was OMG first used?
Wiktionary records its first use in a letter from John Fisher to Winston Churchill dated 9 September 1917.
Is OMG offensive?
It can be to some people because it invokes God, according to Wiktionary's usage note.
What does zOMG mean?
It's a variant of OMG used in gaming and forums, usually for mock excitement.
What does OMG mean in French?
Wiktionary lists French OMG as an alternative form of OGM, meaning a genetically modified organism.
