What does 'DINK' stand for? What the label means for couples and their finances.

Sometimes we have a lot we want to say, but don't always have the time, or character count, to do so. That's where acronyms, initialisms and slang can help shorten our conversations.

This applies to everyday life, from our finances to our homes. If you need to grab cash, you might head to the "ATM," or "automated teller machine." If there's a problem in the neighborhood, you may want to notify the "HOA," or "homeowners association."

Maybe you've seen headlines about "DINKs" but weren't sure what it meant. No, we're not talking about tennis "drop shots." Here's a rundown of this specific bracket of couples.

What does 'DINK' stand for?

"DINK" is an acronym for "double income, no kids," according to Merriam-Webster. In other definitions, the "D" stands for "dual."

The slang's etymology dates back to 1986, Merriam-Webster reports, though the term has seen a recent spike in usage.

The slang describes "a household in which there are two people earning incomes and no children," Investopedia reports. DINKs may have more disposable income than other households since they do not pay for child care-related expenses. The cost to raise a child can vary, but estimates range from $200,000 to $300,000, according to Investopedia.

How to use 'DINK'

Here's how to use "DINK" in a sentence:

• "Johnathan and Avery are DINKs."

• "She wants to get married, but doesn't want kids." "Oh, she wants to be a DINK."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What does 'DINK' stand for? The definition of the financial slang.