What does 'MIA' mean? Behind the abbreviation and its grim military origins.

Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY
·2 min read
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It seems like there's a texting acronym for everything these days.

We use "IMO" to share our takes on the internet. We send a quick "WTM" to figure out the next social gathering. We even use "ICYMI" to share the latest news and headlines.

While many slang acronyms come from a place of efficiency, some have deeper origins in history. Here's how we use "MIA" today and what it actually means in the military.

What does 'MIA' mean?

MIA means "missing in action" and can be either used literally or figuratively.

Though most of us know the term in a lighthearted context, the term "MIA" actually gets its roots from military classifications. The term refers to members of the military who are reported missing during war or a ceasefire. They may have been killed, wounded, captured or deserted, but their status is unknown.

According to the History Channel, 81,900 Americans are still considered MIA from World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Cold War and other conflicts. You may recognize the black-and-white POW/MIA flag, which honors and remembers prisoners of war and those reported missing in action.

In modern-day slang, the term is used figuratively for unexpected absences to say you haven't seen someone in a while or can't find them.

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How to use 'MIA'

Here's how you can use the slang version of the term in your text conversations:

  • "Have you seen Ana Elena? She's been MIA since lunch."

  • "I have a ton of meetings, so I'm going to be MIA all day."

  • "That celebrity went totally MIA after she got canceled."

Want to learn more? Catch up on these text slang explainers:

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What does 'MIA' mean? From grim military origins to common text usage