Here's why:
* Informal usage: "Lil" is considered informal and often used in casual speech or texting. It's not a standard grammatical abbreviation.
* Multiple types of shortening: There are various ways words are shortened, including:
* Clipping: Removing the end of a word (like "phone" from "telephone").
* Contraction: Combining two words (like "don't" from "do not").
* Acronyms: Using the first letters of a phrase (like "NASA" from "National Aeronautics and Space Administration").
Possible terms to describe "lil":
* Informal abbreviation: This accurately describes its nature.
* Texting slang: Since "lil" is common in texting, this term is applicable.
* Colloquialism: This refers to informal words and phrases used in everyday speech.
* Phonetic spelling: "Lil" is sometimes considered a phonetic spelling of "little," but it's not a standard spelling.
It's important to note that the specific term you choose depends on the context and your desired level of formality.