“Wait, what did you mean?” Language as ambiguous, abstract, and arbitrary

Texting is an art form, requiring skill, nuance, attention to detail, and a very solid knowledge of your audience. Take for instance, the classic but annoying response: K As in, "okay, no problem, got it, I understand." Now, add a period: K. What's the difference, you ask? According to my students, my source of millennial expertise on...