143
Texting & Internet Slang abbreviation · Texting and Chat
| Stands for | I love you |
|---|---|
| Categories | Texting & Internet Slang |
143 stands for I love you, a texting and chat abbreviation.
Numeric code for "I love you" in which each digit gives the letter count of a word: I (1), love (4), you (3). It started on 1990s numeric pagers, which could display only digits, and survives as an affectionate sign-off in texts, captions and even tattoos.
Example: Landed safely, I will call you right after dinner, 143.
Usage notes
Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was known for using 143 as his code for "I love you"; in 2019 Pennsylvania's governor proclaimed May 23, the 143rd day of that year, as "1-4-3 Day" in his honor. Today the code is more common among millennials and Gen X; younger texters usually write ily instead.