Did you ever receive a message from your friend saying KMS? Do you know what it means? There are actually two potential meanings. The first, more common, meaning is “Kill Myself,” while the second meaning is “Killing Me Slowly.”
Usually, this phrase is used figuratively, not literally. People mostly use it when they are joking or when they are being dramatic over something that bothers them. Even though it is a bit morbid, this abbreviation is particularly popular among teens and youngsters with an “edgy” sense of humor.
However, some people may use it to commit suicide in rare situations.
“KMS” as a Joke of “Kill Myself”
It’s common for teens to use dramatic phrases for comic effect, especially when texting or on social media. One such phrase is “KMS”, shorthand for “Kill Myself.”
This expression is often thrown around when someone exaggerates their reaction to an everyday, non-critical situation. It’s sort of like saying, “This is so embarrassing, I could die!”
Teens might say “KMS” after sharing a tale of mild misfortune or embarrassment just to be humorous or to express exasperation.
Now, you might be thinking, why joke about something so serious? Well, sometimes humor is a way to cope with stress. For many youngsters, joking about heavy topics can defuse tension around those issues. It’s a way of dealing with the pressure without coming off as too serious or vulnerable.
How to Know if KMS Means “Kill Myself”?
When you see “KMS” in a message, look for clues in the text to figure out if it’s a joke. Often, it’s followed by LOL, emojis, or in the context of a clearly non-serious situation.
Here’s an example:
- Friend 1: “I tripped in the hall and dropped all my books in front of my crush. KMS 🤦♂️😂”
- Friend 2: “Oof, RIP dignity! But seriously, you’ll laugh about this later.”
In this back-and-forth, Friend 1 is likely not considering self-harm. They’re using “KMS” to make light of an embarrassing moment, and Friend 2 responds with similar levity. The use of emojis and the casual tone indicate that the phrase is not meant literally.
“KMS” Means “Killing Me Slowly”
Another way teens might use “KMS” is to say something is “Killing Me Slowly.” This expression also leans towards the figurative, describing a situation or event that’s causing prolonged discomfort or annoyance, but definitely not actual harm.
For example, if something is unbearably dull or tedious, like a long, uninteresting lecture or an endless line at the store, a teen might text their friend “KMS” as shorthand for “this is torturous.”
How to Know if KMS Means “Killing Me Slowly”?
Here’s how to decipher “KMS” in the context of “Killing Me Slowly”: Look for descriptors of slow, ongoing experiences that are negative but not extreme. The tone is typically less about shock and more about a drawn-out sense of discomfort or annoyance.
For example: “This class is so dull, it’s KMS.”
In this case, the student is using “KMS” to emphasize the tedium of the class. The slow pace is causing frustration, but they’re not in danger.
If someone is venting about a monotonous experience and uses “KMS,” it’s often their way of saying, “This is extremely boring or uncomfortable, and it feels like it’s dragging on forever.”
“KMS” Stands for “Commit Suicide”
While “KMS” is often used jokingly, it’s crucial to recognize when it may be an indication of someone’s serious intent or thoughts about suicide. Teenagers may use “KMS” in this context when they feel overwhelmed, hopeless, or in despair.
The weight of issues like bullying, academic pressure, relationship problems, or mental health struggles might lead someone to express these feelings using the abbreviation.
How to Know if KMS means “Commit Suicide”?
Understanding when “KMS” signifies a real cry for help is imperative. The tone accompanying the message is generally more serious, with an absence of humorous cues.
The context might involve a conversation where the person is sharing deep personal struggles, feelings of hopelessness, or mentions self-harm. If the acronym is isolated or accompanied by alarming statements, it may suggest genuine distress.
For example, a girl says: “I can’t see any way out of this. I’m just so tired of everything. KMS.”
Here, “KMS” is expressed with statements of despair. It could be a significant indicator that the person is experiencing a deep emotional crisis. In this message, the individual is expressing a sense of being trapped, without solutions, and exhausted by their circumstances.
The use of “KMS” here doesn’t come with an ironic or humorous tone. Instead, it appears in the context of real pain and hopelessness.
In such instances, “KMS” goes beyond being a casual expression of frustration—it’s used to convey a feeling of wanting to escape from intolerable thoughts or situations through the thought of self-harm or suicide.
KMS Origins
KMS originated on Twitter sometime in 2009. Back then, Twitter had a character limit of 140 characters, so users had to be concise when writing their posts. Because of this, Twitter users started coming up with various abbreviations – so that they could say as much as possible, using as few characters as possible.
One such abbreviation was KMS. Twitter was always a place where people felt free to be sarcastic, over the top, and a little bit of cynical. That’s why it makes no wonder that KMS originated on this social network instead of Facebook or MySpace.
Later on, KMS spread to other social networks and chatting platforms. Nowadays, you can see it on Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp. And, even though character limits have been increased since 2009, people still use KMS instead of the full phrase.
Apart from convenience, using KMS is less likely to get you banned for using disturbing language. Many social media platforms, especially TikTok, are very strict about the language used in posts and comments. KMS has become a way to circumvent these rules.
How to Reply – The Importance of Context
Now, you might wonder what you should reply to when someone sends you KMS in a message. It all comes down to the context. Is the person who texted you joking, or are they being serious?
For example, if the whole conversation is lighthearted, with plenty of jokes, it is safe to assume that the person texting you isn’t really considering killing themselves. Additionally, KMS might simply be a way to show frustration, annoyance, and irritation in an overblown manner.
If this is the case, you should answer however you want, depending on the context of the conversation. You can agree with them or try to comfort them. You can even make some mild jokes if the person in question is your friend.
However, if the person texting you seems depressed or desperate, using KMS might be a cry for help. In this case, you should choose your words carefully. Try to be supportive and understanding. Offer help if needed.
If nothing works, and you are worried about that person, you might want to go and check on them in person. You can also notify their family or even local authorities, especially if you are scared they might go through with their suicidal insinuations.
Examples of Use
First of all, there is a time and place where you can use KMS. You can use KMS in texts and social media when casually talking to your friends, family, and other close persons. As long as they understand that you are joking, they will probably find KMS in your texts funny.
On the other side, if you are talking to someone in a professional setting, you should avoid using KMS. For example, no matter how boring that meeting or presentation was, you can’t use KMS to describe it. If you desperately need to express your frustrations or boredom, do it in a more appropriate way.
Here are some ways you can use KMS:
- “I watched that movie yesterday. It was so bad I wanted to KMS.”
- “Will he stop talking?KMS!”
- “We went to that overpriced restaurant where we waited for an hour before being served. KMS.”
- “My hair will need at least six months to grow back. KMS.”
- “I think I will fail this test. I couldn’t even guess the answers. KMS.”
- KMS. That dress looked horrible on her.
Of course, if you use KMS in a serious manner, you should ask for help. Talk to someone you trust and let them know how you are feeling. Don’t hesitate to look for help from an expert. Additionally, there are many suicide hotlines you can call when you are feeling like you might harm yourself.
Alternative Meanings
KMS can also mean “kilometers” and “key management service.” These meanings are more technical, and you will rarely see them in a text or on social media. Still, it is worth knowing them just in case.
Conclusion
KMS is short for “Kill Myself” or “Killing me slowly” when texting and on platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp. In most cases, people use it to express their frustration, dislike, anger, and irritation in a dramatic manner. In such a context, KMS can be seen as a form of dark humor.
Unfortunately, some people use KMS in a literal way. These people feel suicidal, and using KMS might be their cry for help. Learn how to recognize when people use KMS as a joke and when they do it seriously.
