Texas Department of Agriculture
June, 2008
"OMG! LTC! GR8! G2G and txt my bffs!"
Huh?! No, you haven't stumbled on some cryptic centuries-old language. While it's unrecognizeable to some, the above mix of letters, numbers and exclamation points is actually a form of the English language. So before you turn to someone your junior and blow your cover by sounding behind the times, allow us at the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to help with the translation.
"Oh my gosh! Like that's cute! This is great! I've got to go tell my best friends!"
It's likely this message would be viewed or found on a cellphone or computer and highly likely it would be written and then read by a "tween." Tweens are defined as children between the ages of 8 and 12, and, at least in the gift industry, those tweens are usually girls. The word is a take on "between" because the mentality of the girls at the tween age has moved beyond children's toys, but they are not yet teenagers. They are neither children nor teens - they are between toys and boys.
Tweens are associated with many things, as deciphered in the above text-message; the color pink, a love of social circles and all that entails and most important to you, a love of shopping for all the prettier, girlier things in a tween's life.
Keeping in step with the generational lexicon, TDA is adding two new entries to the mix:
GTT! GT4eva!
Translation: GO TEXAN today! GO TEXAN forever!
As another school year ends, so arrive the retail winds of summer. Yes, it's here. You can't run and hide. With the change of seasons and with all that free time on their hands, your tweens are fired up to shop. And the bounty of GO TEXAN products are the perfect choice. Tweens love that personal touch and plenty of GO TEXAN products are happy to please. Below are a few samples to whet the shopping appetite of you and your tween:
When it comes to the glittery world of bracelets, necklaces and earrings, check out C Lynne Designs at www.clynnedesigns.com/ or call (830) 237-6505.
Or take it one step further with some bling for your tween's favorite animal friend at www.horsebling.net/ or (512) 293-4297.
Trying to persuade your tween to write with pen as well as a keyboard? Then you'll definitely find your fair share of designer stationery and an assortment of note card styles at www.kellykaycreative.com/ or call (817) 570-7938.
Other fun and tween-friendly GO TEXAN favorites include:
After the Rayne (handmade soaps and bath products)
www.aftertherayne.com/kids.htm
BootTopPurses.com
www.boottoppurses.com/
karen's kreations
www.karensglabels.com/
Mary of Puddin Hill
www.puddinhill.com/
Sparkle Designs
www.sparkledesignsonline.com/
Teresa's Treasures
www.treasuresbyteresa.com/
That should get you started, but before you go, let's have a short quiz to see what we've learned. Ready?
GTT! GT4eva! OMG! TTYL!
Translation: GO TEXAN today! GO TEXAN forever! Oh my gosh! Talk to you later!
Want to know more about gifts made in Texas? For sure! Contact Mary York with GO TEXAN at (512) 463-8289 or e-mail mary.york@tda.state.tx.us, or visit www.gotexan.org/.
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