Cya

Cya is an abbreviation for "see ya" that people typically use online, including in messages (possibly texts, too) and on social media. It tells the recipient that the sender is leaving and will see them later at an undetermined point in time.

Technically, cya is an abbreviation for "see ya," which is also an abbreviation as it removes the "later" or "around" part of the farewell. While people have been saying "see ya" in spoken conversation informally long before online chat and text speak, it is now a common way to end a chat conversation (since the late 1990s and early 2000s).

CYA is an acronym that stands for "Cover your a**," which is another way to say "Protect yourself." It is typically used when some type of danger is detected and something undesirable could happen if the proper precautions are not taken.

The phrase comes from the inability to properly protect our backsides since we do not have eyes in the back of our heads. This can lead to our behinds being left vulnerable to attack. The CYA acronym is a shortened version of the phrase that is typically sent in text messages or online by teenagers or young adults to warn a person of impending danger.

The acronym could be referencing an actual physical threat, like a jealous Ex coming to confront you, but it is typically used in a work environment to refer to something negative that you would have to deal with. For example, a top-executive may be upset by a failed idea implemented by your department but instead of taking the blame, you pass the blame onto someone who no longer works there. That's a common CYA move. Or perhaps you are not interested in taking on a new project at work and you claim that you are "too busy," which is another popular CYA excuse.

In some rare instances, the acronym may be used to actually tell you to cover your backside because it is bare or unflattering in its present state.