Just be sure youre not committing one of these annoying text habits when you reply with this. Capitalization is a non-concernwhen using textabbreviationsand chat jargon. In its simplest form, TLDR is used to express that a piece of digital text (an article, email, etc.) (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=38cf8a01-c7b4-4a61-a61b-8c0be6528f20&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "38cf8a01-c7b4-4a61-a61b-8c0be6528f20" }).render("6ea159e3e44940909b49c98e320201e2"); }); The abbreviation is usually used two different ways: with a long section of text, to sum up what comes before or after it, or insteadof a long section of text, to convey the main takeaways of what a larger text would express. In cases where you can't avoid a large amount of text, you can still format it to make it easy to read. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Where is the Savannah River nuclear plant? We recommend our users to update the browser. The Brief:TLDR stands for "too long; didn't read." DEEP DIVE TLDR (also stylized tl;dr) is used to introduce a summary to a large amount of text. It's based off the Internet slang "tl;dr," which stands for "too long; didn't read." The expression is often used for short summaries of long posts. Even if it can sound a little brusque, thats not really what TL;DR means! Its a phrase that basically means summary and is followed by a short, one- or two-line overview for people who may not have read every word of a long chunk of text. And theyve moved beyond text conversations, becoming widespread in social media captions and comments too. It isnt a condemnationits a friendly summary to help you follow along with what was said. TL;DR is best used in personal texting, email, online chatting, or if a business acquaintance has become a friend. A TLDR sentence is a short summary that is found at the end of a piece of original text that is used when . TLDR stands for "too long; didn't read." Urban Dictionary first added it to their site back in 2003. If youve seen this in the comments section of a social media post or worse, had someone send this to you after you DMed them a heartfelt, personal message youve probably found yourself wondering what the heck TLDR means. TLDR Dates Back to the Early 2000s As of right now, the earliest recorded use of TLDR (then spelled TL;DR) dates back to January of 2003, when it was added to Urban Dictionary. Sometimes just having a TLDR can signal that you know you've written too much and it could have been shortened. And of course, theres nothing wrong with just writing summary. You can see that use of the word TLDR has far exceeded TL;DR since 2004, which is why weve dropped the semi-colon for most of this article. On the flip side, if you are just starting a friendship or professional relationship, avoid abbreviations until you've developed a relationship rapport. It is an internet-based slang that is meant to be used in one of two contexts: As an insult or derogatory way of saying that something is too long. To summarize a long passage. And of course, theres nothing wrong with just writing summary. If you see someone posting a funny image of a cat lounging with sunglasses captioned something like TFW youre off of work for a long weekend, know that its one of the funny text abbreviations that people are using these days. Because many people browse at work or on their phones, they might not be able to watch or hear the video. This way, people don't need to read a 50+ line email. Someone links you to a must-read article that has more pages in it than Tolstoys "War And Peace" or sends you a text that requires you to scroll so much that your fingers get a workout. Emilie Dunphy / Lifewire Examples of TL;DR Usage All Rights Reserved. Now that you know these text abbreviations, make sure to brush up on proper texting etiquettetoo. NSFW stands for Not Safe For Work. Jack Kelly If youre still blow-drying your hair but were supposed to be at dinner ten minutes ago, try texting your significant other something like OMW, see you soon. OMW means on my way and is often used when youre not even really on your waybut will be soon. TLDR (or TL;DR) is a common internet acronym for "Too Long; Didn't Read." At face value, the phrase seems pretty easy to understand. Try using it with a smiling selfie like TFW dinner came out even better than I imagined., Have you heard someone say they were sliding into someones DMs and thought, Sliding into their what now? DM is short for direct message. More directly related to social media than to texting, DMs refer to the private messaging option on apps like Twitter and Instagram. These allow you to get a summary version of any page you read online. TL;DR. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/TL%3BDR. TLDR means too long, didnt read, and is a common response to long-winded, rambling opinion pieces. Whens the last time you heard someone say all three words, too much information? Another one that can cause the recipient to brace themselves, IMO means in my opinion. The strength/controversy of that opinion can vary vastly, though. (For more grammar fun, learn about the difference between acronyms and abbreviations with theseacronym examples!) It can be hard to stay current with the latest slang. If what you wrote doesn't really need a summary, then don't include it. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. the state of being related or interrelated; the relation connecting or binding participants in a relationship: such as; kinship This is a good time to think back to writing essays for English classwhat kinds of phrases did you use to write conclusions for your papers? Next time you get a text from your kid asking where their favorite shirt is, reply with IDK, ask your mother/father/sibling.. Or, if you are adding a link to a third-party article, you could parenthetically add TLDR with a short summary, such as "Please see this article (TLDR: It's a summary of how APIs work).". What does S/U mean? What does S/U mean? It probably has no paragraph separation and contains loads of run-on sentences. Next time someone says they cant make it to your party, you can text back NBDeven if youre silently fuming. Typically, people comment TL;DR to say that the original post is too long, and they didn't feel like reading it. Meaning of TLDR in English TLDR (also TL;DR, tldr, tl;dr) abbreviation for too long; didn't read: used to comment on something that someone has written, for example on social media: If a commenter responds to a post with "tl;dr", it expresses an expectation to be entertained without needing to pay attention or to think. In fact, the Oxford English Dictionary tracked its earliest recorded use to a letter written in 1917! Plus, typing just with thumbs isnt quite the speedy process that typing on a traditional keyboard is. It's either a summary of a longer page or it's an indication that the sender didn't find the information worth reading. While TLDR is the most common usage, you may also see the semicolon inserted in the acronym, as in: "TL;DR.". How to Run Your Own DNS Server on Your Local Network, How to Check If the Docker Daemon or a Container Is Running, How to Manage an SSH Config File in Windows and Linux, How to View Kubernetes Pod Logs With Kubectl, How to Run GUI Applications in a Docker Container. FWIW (eh? Its older and most proper form is TL;DR, which includes a semicolon between the L and D. You might also see the TLDR acronym written as TL/DR or TL/DNR, which stands for did not read. Keep up with her on Twitter for more. If it doesn't work for you, Chrome has other options, such as TL;DR. But words and phrases can change depending on their context, and TLDR is no exception. Sometimes it can be tongue in cheek, a way of saying, I know I wrote a lot, and it might be too much to read. Think of it as the Cliffs Notes of internet communication! Meghan Jones is a word nerd who has been writing for RD.com since 2017. ), itsnot often used kindly and carries an air of condescension. When using TLDR as a commenter, your job is very simple. Initially it was used as a snarky reply to someone who'd posted a wall of text; then it became a way of signposting the summary of a long post, provided for the purposes of people who would otherwise say tldr and skip it. One is TL;DC. Along this same line, writers sometimes include a TLDR at the top or bottom of their web article, email, or text message. It's used to describe content that is inappropriate for the workplace, or any other environment where people might be offended by seeing it. But if you're not in the know, they end up being more confusing than anything. The Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) is a list of service members found to be unfit for military duty by reason of disability whose conditions have not stabilized sufficiently to permit the assessment of a permanent disability rating. What are the major reasons for the growth of slums in the developing countries? "TLDR" is an acronym that stands for "Too Long; Didn't Read." So what does TL;DR mean? I havent been able to keep up with this thread (TLDR). So, TLDR: TLDR is a useful way to summarize details and speed up communication. As a compromise, the poster will offer a TLDR consisting of a few lines. As of right now, the earliest recorded use of TLDR (then spelled TL;DR) dates back to January of 2003, when it was added to Urban Dictionary. Hey, tight on time. Based out of Brooklyn, New York, her work covers all things social justice, pop culture, and human interest. our list of internet slang and abbreviations, 7 Exciting Smartphones Unveiled at MWC 2023, The 5 Weirdest Products We Saw at MWC 2023, 4 Unexpected Uses for Computer Vision In Use Right Now, What Is Google Imagen AI? Learn a new word every day. Like most internet trends, we dont really know where this slang term started. We look at the TLDR abbreviation and show examples so you understand how it works. Accessed 4 Mar. Short for laughing out loud, LOL is now used to express even the mildest amusement. What is SSH Agent Forwarding and How Do You Use It? Try This Comfy Nodpod Weighted Sleep Mask. If messaging in a professional context with someone at work, or with a customer or vendor outside your company, avoid abbreviations altogether. What does TLDR mean as an abbreviation? A good rule of thumb is that you would not use "TLDR" anywhere in which you wouldn't feel comfortable writing "LOL" (laughing out loud) or a similarly informal acronym. It is commonly used on the Internet as a way to summarize a long article or post. Let's look at a real-life usage of TLDR usage from Reddit: This is a simple example, but it illustrates the usage of TLDR. In other words, TL;DR says if the text was too long and you didnt read it all, this is what it was about. Its great if you are scanning a long post and just want the main points. Use "Summary" or "Conclusion," then summarize the email. AndrewHeinzman writes for How-To Geek and Review Geek. The abbreviation doesnt necessarily mean you didnt read the text before it. Her writing has appeared in Geekisphere and other publications. When tempted to use jargon in messages, evaluate who your audience is, if the context is informal or professional, and then use good judgment. In more formal, journalistic writing, or in a lengthy, original social media post, you may see TLDR, often formatted as TL;DR, followed by a quick summary so that the inevitable speedy scrollers can still get the gist. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. Capitalizing and Punctuating Web and Text Abbreviations, Recommended Etiquette for Web and Text Jargon. summarily. TL;DW, meanwhile, stands for too long; didn't watch. Use all uppercase (TL;DR ) or all lowercase (tl;dr) letters, and the meaning is identical. ILY or ily is short for I love you. This is, needless to say, a pretty casual way to say those words, so maybe avoid saying them for the first time (or even second, or third) to your significant other in this way. Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. You can respond LOL! As for professional or scholarly use, it just depends on the context. A lone TLDR? without any explanation could be an intentionally rude or funny comment. It was 70 years ago that poet W.H. Both uppercase and lowercase versions of TL;DR (tldr) mean the same thing and are perfectly acceptable. BTW, I saw you went to the beach yesterdayit looked amazing! An acronym is an abbreviation made up of initials that you can pronounce, like NATO. We'll teach you everything you should know about this common abbreviation. What does TLDR stand for in Texting? TL;DR can also be a shortened version of whatever you want to say. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? What does TLDR stand for? Sarah Vincent is an assistant editor for Readers Digest, covering digital lifestyle stories. What does TLDR mean in a relationship? What Does TLDR Mean, and How Do You Use It? Learn more. The history behind the internet acronym and and how to use it in a chat, What does NSFW mean? But in some situations, this use can feel a bit sarcastic. Most common TLDR abbreviation full forms updated in January 2023. It can encourage other peoples doing of such things or commemorate your own doing of them. How do you use TLDR in a sentence? Even more common than THX is TY or ty, which means thank you. And finally, youll see TYSM or tysm (thank you so much) quite frequently as well. It stands for, "fixed that for you.". This is a good time to think back to writing essays for English classwhat kinds of phrases did you use to write conclusions for your papers? Usually the author of a long post gives a tl;dr, a summary . OMG! Spelling out full words shows professionalism and courtesy. What Does OC Mean, and How Do You Use It? Sort. Sometimes it can be tongue in cheek, a way of saying, I know I wrote a lot, and it might be too much to read. Think of it as the Cliffs Notes of internet communication! Also stylized as "TL;DR," this acronym stands for too long; didnt read. Its an internet slang word for those who are so pressed for time that they cant even comprehend having to type out these 4 words. It scans an article and provides a summary of five sentences or under. While pagers are extinct, the abbreviation certainly is not, and has evolved into the shortened HMU. What about another abbreviation you probably use all the time without realizing: Does the I in iPhone stand for something? Lisa Mildon is a Lifewire writer and an IT professional with 30 years of experience. Nowadays, most users write the TLDR abbreviation as simply TLDR. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. You'll often see this on videos posted to Reddit. Its likely the word first originated in forums and chat rooms that ruled the internet in the early 2000s. TLDR stands for too long; didn't read. At the bottom of a lengthy article on football, for example, you might find a comment that says TLDR: the Patriots will win the next Super Bowl.. It is commonly used on the internet as a way to summarize a long or complex article or piece of text. However, they haven't seen updates in years. The exact origins of TL;DR are unclear, but its first Urban Dictionary entry appeared in 2003. It can also be a verb: DM me to learn more about texting abbreviations.. (Available as a print and as stationery cards.). too long; didnt read What are the symptoms of chronic urticaria? TBH, tuna casserole is not my fave. Still, we cant guarantee that text abbreviations will soften the blow. Get the top TLDR abbreviation related to Texting. What Does NSFW Mean, and How Do You Use It? But an important email, a big presentation or a business proposal is not the time to use slang or abbreviations of any kind. This is for people who need fast keyboard fingers and quick replies. It means in real life (as opposed to online or over the phone), and is great for saying things like Would love to see you soon IRL! Were probably sending a lot of texts like this lately as things start to open up post-lockdown! The content produced by YourTango is for informational and educational purposes only. Some people also type it as TLDR without the semicolon. After earning a degree in Computer Information Systems, Ben left his IT job to write full-time in 2016 and has never looked back. Many people think of TLDR as an acronym, but it's technically an initialism. Like a word with multiple meanings, TLDR is used in several different ways: TLDR is an informal acronym and as such, you should be very careful using it professionally; consider your audience and its comfort level with internet slang. People tend to accompany their TLDR with a summary of whats being discussed. TLDR means: Too Long; Didn't Read. What Does SMH Mean and How to Use It in Texting, Cool story, bro (indicates a story was boring or pointless). What does Nwh mean in texting? It's commonly used online to indicate that someone has read a long piece of text but doesn't have the time or patience to read it all. For example, TLDR. TL;DR, short for "too long; didn't read", is Internet slang to say that some text being replied to has been ignored because of its length. You can use it earnestly, as in Dont worry about being a few minutes late, its NBD!or not so earnestly. And what the heck are these new text abbreviations, like TL;DR? Language (and internet culture) continues to evolve, resulting in an ever-changing list of words that are inand words that are out. TLDR This is the most updated version, available for Chrome and Firefox. As we mentioned earlier, it's usually best to put the TLDR at the end of the post to avoid "spoilers" and encourage people to read all of it. There's probably no scenario in which you should respond to professional messages with "TLDR." Sarah Vincent is an assistant editor for Readers Digest, covering digital lifestyle stories. Wikipedia. briefly. Use it when it feels right, and try to avoid sounding rude. IIRC stands for if I recall correctly and is the social media equivalent of you bringing receipts. Sadly, Google Analytics started in January 2004, so we cant look any further back than that. The meaning is quite close to 'executive summary'. You might see something like Wanted to see how you were doing bc I havent heard from you in a while.. What Do IMO and IMHO Mean, and How Do You Use Them? Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! BTW is short for by the way. Youd use it just like youd use the expression in real lifeto introduce a new topic of conversation. TL;DR falls under the initialism category, so you pronounce it "tee el dee are". You can replace TL;DR with any terms that signify a summary or final overview. Menu Search. AndrewHeinzman writes for How-To Geek and Review Geek. TL;DR is whats called an initialism. TLDR means: Too Long; Didn't Read You open a lengthy social media post, an article, or a text message and see a separate section titled TLDR (or TL;DR), along with a summary of the post. Hit me up is an expression that might even need further explanation once you know what the letters stand for. Add exclamation points and laugh/crying face emojis as you please. Most people know to check the bottom of a post for a TLDR summary, so it's usually best to do this. Well, in the days before smartphones, and even before keyboard phones, texters were working with a limited number of characters160, to be exactand before unlimited plans became the law of the land,each text cost money to send. Too Long, Didn't Read + 2 . She lives and works in New York's Hudson Valley with her five small children. TL;DR is whats called an initialism. YOLO! BTW, while most of these are textingabbreviationsor initialisms, GOAT is a texting acronymwhats the difference between abbreviation vs. acronym vs. initialism? It's a kinder way of . The PoshCode tldr module is a collection of simplified and community-driven example pages to help you quickly the the gist of commands.. What does tldr mean? Just tell them LMK when you knowand hopefully they will in good time. Shes the GOAT!) or a superstar in a particular field (Saw the GOAT himself, John Williams, conduct an orchestra last night!). It will take some work, there will be a point at which you hold your head in your hands, and then you will solve it . Unlike most internet acronyms, TLDR (or TL;DR) has found its way into news articles, professional emails, and evenMerriam-Websters Dictionary. 22. Let's look at TLDR's meaning, how to use it, and some examples of how it works. Try uploading a recent photo of a life event with the hashtag #ICYMI. Itll also often be in the caption or subject of old news stories or emails (read: from a day ago). And, depending on her general fondness for and knowledge of texting abbreviations, perhaps avoid texting your grandma ILY. You can certainly sign off with a longtime significant other, good friend, or family member you text with all the time with ILY, though. The acronym TLDR is a shorthand notation used by users to indicate that section seems too long for reading. Regardless, it's best to err on the side of caution if you have any concern that the use of TLDR is too informal for your audience. 2023 LifeSavvy Media. Understanding the internet shorthand used to describe content that's not suitable in professional settings, 'OP' can mean 2 different things online. TLDR abbreviation. 12 popular meanings of TLDR abbreviation: This one translates to let me know, and is useful in all sorts of situations for nudging or putting the ball in someones court. In fact, if youre someone who believes in the power of TL;DR, you probably havent even read this far into this article! Its also helpful if you read all the text but want to make sure you understood it correctly. Occasionally, TL;DR can mean "too lazy, didn't read.". One moose, two moose. ! perhaps paired with one of these popular emojiswhen your friend tells you a hilarious story, but you can also just say something like, I forgot to have breakfast today, LOL. Its something of a catch-all reaction. "TL;DR: this piece covers why we as a society need to increase our attention spans." 3. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Looking for Better Sleep? But beyond this, you should think about how you write your main post to make a TLDR less important or even unnecessary. Who has time to text out estimated time of arrival?! TL;DR stands for "Too Long; Didn't Read". In a professional setting, you dont want to be the person who has to ask what does FWIW mean? Likewise, you dont want to embarrass others by forcing them to ask what does TL;DR mean?Even though TL;DR isnt rude, its better email etiquette to avoid it in formal settings. He's been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more as a professional writer for over nine years. The abbreviation is all over the internet, usually accompanying long paragraphs of text. You can use them to replace TL;DR. But in a text, its simply short for thanks, with the X representing the sound at the end of the word. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. compact. 2. chickensoupp 3 yr. ago. Several of them are outdated, and none are wildly popular, but they're worth a look if you love summaries. Meanwhile, an initialism is an abbreviation where you pronounce the individual letters, such as BBC. Its OK to use it on social media, with your friends or in a quick, informal note to a coworker. Ordering a pizza when you should be ordering a salad? That's okay, too. WTD is an internet slang acronym used for what to do, as in what to do about a situation or Most of the time, the OP includes the TLDR summary either at the end or beginning of the post. Take a look at our list of internet slang and abbreviations to study up on more, like what TBH means. Now that you know what TLDR stands for, let's look at the meaning of TLDR. What is TLDR in social media? Write the TL;DR first. For example, someone might write up a detailed analysis of a news story, share a long personal anecdote, or otherwise post a lot of text. TLDR is an acronym that stands for "Too Long Didn't Read." TLDR is commonly used to summarize lengthy content and can signal a sort of executive summary at the start of news articles or emails.. In most cases, though, its just a witty acknowledgment that a small chunk of text is easier to digest than a large wall of text. Delivered to your inbox! New search features Acronym Blog Free tools "AcronymFinder.com. Even if youre a pro at texting abbreviations, do you know how to use these iPhone hacks? Its a form of abbreviation in which every letter is pronounced on its own, like DVD or VIP. Like most memes and acronyms, the origins of TLDR are murky, though the Merriam-Webster dictionary cites the first known use to be in 2002. You can type the letters in uppercase or lowercase; it's not a concern either way. As mentioned earlier, coming up with a clever or sarcastic TLDR as a commenter is often a crowd-pleaser. Indeed, TLDR means your content was too long and wasn't worth reading. We recommend our users to update the browser. You can use it if you change an image or make a meme out of another person's post. That's certainly the case with the TLDR acronym, as many have wondered what TLDR is. Meanwhile, an initialism is an abbreviation where you pronounce the individual letters, such as BBC. If that sounds a little rude or passive aggressive, you're aptly sensing one of its uses; that is often the way TLDR is used in response to densely worded articles online. Imagine yourself taking your first SCUBA lesson and posting a photo of a successful dive with the caption, Diving lessons FTW! You can also use it for subtler occasionsif your friend shuts down a trollish commenter, declare, [your friends name] FTW!. Many websites have created a TLDR version of their articles as a way to get the information to busy bodies who don't have time to read the whole article. People use it to indicate that the text is simply too long for them to consider, so they're not going to read it. is too long to be worth reading. ("Here's the TL;DR version.") Like most other internet acronyms, it's wise to avoid TLDR in formal writing. There is no set rule for where to place TLDR in a piece of writing.