Is 143 the code for I Love You?

Answered by Robert Dupre

143 is indeed a code for “I love you.” This code was particularly popular during the 1990s when pagers were widely used as a means of communication. Pagers were small devices that allowed people to send and receive short messages or numeric codes.

In the case of 143, each number represents the number of letters in each word of the phrase “I love you.” The letter “I” has one letter, “love” has four letters, and “you” has three letters. So, when someone received the number 143 on their pager, it was a way of expressing love without explicitly saying the words.

This code became popular because it offered a discreet way of expressing affection. People could use it in public or around others without arousing suspicion or drawing attention to their private messages. It was a way to communicate intimate feelings without revealing them to the entire world.

The popularity of the 143 code was also influenced by the limitations of early pagers. These devices had limited character space for messages, usually only allowing a certain number of characters or numbers to be displayed. Therefore, using codes like 143 helped to convey a message in a concise and efficient manner.

While pagers are no longer as commonly used today, the code 143 has remained somewhat iconic, especially among those who grew up during the era of pagers. It serves as a nostalgic reminder of a time when communication was simpler and more limited in its capabilities.

143 is indeed the code for “I love you,” particularly used during the 1990s when pagers were prevalent. It represented the number of letters in each word of the phrase “I love you” and allowed people to express their affection in a discreet and concise manner.