An Augmenting Abbreviation?

I don't know if you've ever thought about this, but I have. Have you ever wondered about the abbreviation of the phrase "By the way"? Why is it, I wonder, that the shortened version is longer than the normal way of saying it?

For example, The phrase, when spoken, has 3 syllables...

                                         By  The  Way
                                                     1              2                3
However, the abbreviation, when spoken, has...

                               Bee    Tee   W(Da-Bowl-Ewe)
                                1 ahahah...  2 ahahaha...     3 ahahah... 4 lololol... 5!

So, this creates a rather comical situation. An abbreviation that actually elongates the phrase! That's why I prefer to use the even shorter "BTDubs". It sounds good when spoken, but is awakward as halfway handshake when typed. Oh, how I love contradictions. (Btw, For those of you who got The Count reference I put in there, I give you a pat on the back and a sturdy full hand shake.)