/**
 * If a string is too long, shorten it in the middle
 * @param string $text
 * @param int $limit
 * @return string
 */
function shorten($text, $limit = 25) {
	if (strlen($text) > $limit) {
		$pre = substr($text, 0, ($limit / 2));	
		$suf = substr($text, -($limit / 2));	
		$text = $pre .' ... '. $suf;
	}
	
	return $text;
}

http://www.milesj.me/blog/read/15/5-custom-basic-php-string-functions

Took from http://www.milesj.me/blog/read/15/5-custom-basic-php-string-functions

shorten a string

PHP