MTA to Change New Subway Sign that Spells Profane Web Message Updated June 15, 2010 6:10am

New, unfortunately titled signage was introduced at the 14th Street Station at Sixth Avenue to reflect the MTA's upcoming route changes. (Tumblr/Digitalisms)

By Patrick Hedlund

DNAinfo News Editor

MANHATTAN — Is the MTA trying to tell us something?

The transit agency will revise a set of subway signs that feature the letters FML — a profane online acronym short for “F--- My Life” — to avoid unwanted associations with the popular chat-room phrase.

The unfortunate new signage went up at the 14th Street station at Sixth Avenue, where the M train will replace the V train later this month.

"I guarantee you the people who install the signs have absolutely no idea what that [phrase] means," said NYC Transit spokesman Charles Seaton, noting that the new sign will display the letter L below the F and M.

"We weren’t positive of what that might have meant, but we're sure that there are thousands of New Yorkers who might know what it means."

Seaton explained that the cost of changing the signs will be minimal, since they only exist at one station and the letters are stickers that can easily be replaced.

"It never dawned on anyone," he added. "The only thing they were thinking about were the trains."

The amusing coincidence was not lost on Web-savvy New Yorkers, as a pair of blogs noted the change and both CNet.com and the New York Times devoted stories to the signs.

Beginning on June 28, the eight-year-old V line will be eliminated and taken over by M trains traveling through Manhattan and Queens.

By Patrick Hedlund, DNAinfo.com

Follow Patrick on Twitter @patrickhedlund