An example of a TLDR would be to create a summary of a lengthy . Finally, you should also be aware of what a wall of text means. According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, the acronym TLDR stands for "Too Long; Didn't Read.". 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. 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. A TLDR sentence is a short summary that is found at the end of a piece of original text that is used when . AndrewHeinzman writes for How-To Geek and Review Geek. If you are looking for something to use in a bulleted list, words like takeaway and overview will do the trick as well. Where is the Savannah River nuclear plant? But like any abbreviation, theres a time and a place for it; there are different etiquette rules for formal and less formal situations. 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. (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. Next time your co-worker uploads a six-paragraph status about the condition of her daily reports, try commenting TLDR, but I hope you get it all done! Writers also often try to get ahead of TLDR, too. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. FTFY: This is a cute acronym that pays homage to the community mindset on Reddit. (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. You can replace TL;DR with any terms that signify a summary or final overview. Commonly found over on Reddit, TL;DR is abbreviation of 'too long; didn't read' and is often used to introduce the main points Meaning; TLDR: Top Level Design Review: TLDR: Too Long; Don't Read (aka Too Long; Didn't Read) TLDR: Too Long; Didn't Read (aka Too Long . TLDR: Its Meaning, Correct Usage, and Examples - MUO However, they haven't seen updates in years. What does TLDR stand for in Texting? One moose, two moose. TLDR means: Too Long; Didn't Read. What It Means When You See 'TL;DR' In Texts & Online, What It Means To Be A 'Zaddy' + Examples Of The Top Hollywood Zaddies, What 'AAVE' Means & Why White People Shouldn't Use It So Flippantly, What It Means When Someone Calls You 'Salty', The 3 Things People Immediately Judge You On When You First Meet Them, 5 Immediate Signs Of A Toxic, Passive-Aggressive Person, 10 Little Habits That Make You IRRESISTIBLY Attractive. Abbreviation to define. As a rule of thumb, dont throw around TLDR anywhere you wouldnt say LOL. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The mass of text might put someone off from reading it all, so the TLDR line summarizes everything in a concise way. But people can also use this in a more sarcastic way to indicate that what you posted is too long for them to care about. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. 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. (It is, admittedly, used less courteously, but we . Suggest. If you know someone well and it is a personal and informal communication, then absolutely use abbreviations. What this does show is that the word is almost as old as the internet itself, and it's certainly not on the way out anytime soon! If youre going to use SMH, keep your audience in mind. Its also helpful if you read all the text but want to make sure you understood it correctly. (TLDR) Additionally, TLDR has grown to be a noun and not just an abbreviation. FWIW (eh? 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. You might see something like Wanted to see how you were doing bc I havent heard from you in a while.. If you just cant keep up, dont worrywe sometimes feel that way too. WTD is an internet slang acronym used for what to do, as in what to do about a situation or Trying to plan a group event when one person doesnt know if theyll be able to make it? TL;DR can also be a shortened version of whatever you want to say. When tempted to use jargon in messages, evaluate who your audience is, if the context is informal or professional, and then use good judgment. YOLO! Its use allows readers to skip reading a large amount of contextualizing information in favor of a more succinct version. 2023 LifeSavvy Media. It's used to describe content that is inappropriate for the workplace, or any other environment where people might be offended by seeing it. If you are looking for something to use in a bulleted list, words like takeaway and overview will do the trick as well. What Does 'TLDR' Mean? Heres a screenshot to prove it. These are the 10 group texting etiquette rules everyone should follow. Once a theologian in the making, studying at a fundamentalist Bible school, O'Gieblyn left the faith for a life as a rational materialist, but remained animated by the selfsame questions that course through the human-made story myths we call religion . compact. Like a jack-of-all-trades, he handles the writing and image editing for a mess of tech news articles, daily deals, product reviews, and complicated explainers. As for professional or scholarly use, it just depends on the context. FOMO means fear of missing out. FOMO is what you feel when you see your BFFs (thats best friends forever, or so you thought, apparently) out partying, and you werent invited (or simply couldnt make it). God, Human, Animal, Machine: Consciousness and Our Search for Meaning Along this same line, writers sometimes include a TLDR at the top or bottom of their web article, email, or text message. Where did TLDR come from? This is meant to be a summary of what the author is saying, and its a disclaimer that the details of a long text may not be worth every readers time. 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. List of 12 best TLDR meaning forms based on popularity. TLDR Meaning & How To Use It Properly | YourTango Some might call this response cut-throat, but really, its just a not-so-gentle reminder that the world is moving too fast for us to waste our time reading dragged-out Facebook statuses or news articles that dont reveal all in their headlines. 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! However, it is generally considered polite to put TLDR at the beginning of a post or article, so that readers can decide whether they want to read the whole thing or not. What are the symptoms of chronic urticaria? Youre just as likely to hear Looking forward to seeing you tonight, whats your ETA? out loud as you are to see it in a text. Lisa Mildon is a Lifewire writer and an IT professional with 30 years of experience. The exact origins of TL;DR are unclear, but its first Urban Dictionary entry appeared in 2003. In fact, the Oxford English Dictionary tracked its earliest recorded use to a letter written in 1917! She lives and works in New York's Hudson Valley with her five small children. The abbreviation is all over the internet, usually accompanying long paragraphs of text. What does TLDR stand for? 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. Use it when it feels right, and try to avoid sounding rude. If what you wrote doesn't really need a summary, then don't include it. Now that you know these text abbreviations, make sure to brush up on proper texting etiquettetoo. What does 'TL;DR' mean and how is it used? Never use periods (dots) between your acronym letters; it would defeat the purpose of being a shortcut. Many people think of TLDR as an acronym, but it's technically an initialism. The abbreviation doesnt necessarily mean you didnt read the text before it. Even if youre a pro at texting abbreviations, do you know how to use these iPhone hacks? It's either a summary of a longer page or it's an indication that the sender didn't find the information worth reading. A lot of the time, this is done by the original poster (OP) as a courtesy to others. Short for laughing out loud, LOL is now used to express even the mildest amusement. TL;DR stands for "Too Long; Didn't Read". ! Its a pretty catch-all exclamation or reaction. Like most internet slang, we dont really know where the word TLDR came from. (For more grammar fun, learn about the difference between acronyms and abbreviations with theseacronym examples!) These collections of letters, short for a single word or group of words, are so common in texting that many have migrated into spoken conversations. What is AFK's meaning? If youre pairing these texting abbreviations with a GIF, find out what GIF stands for. It is an acronym that stands for "too long; didn't read." TLDR This is the most updated version, available for Chrome and Firefox. It looks fancier than the basic TLDR, and its accepted as a word by Websters Dictionary. Hit me up is an expression that might even need further explanation once you know what the letters stand for. What does TLDR mean as an abbreviation? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. What Does TL;DR Mean? Definition and Usage, Explained And, of course, abbreviating is just convenient in general, and is certainly not exclusive to textingjust look at all these common abbreviation and acronym examples. Its as if the author is acknowledging that their own wall of text can adequately be understood in a single sentence. Of course, you lose out on some of the finer details by only checking the TLDR. Language (and internet culture) continues to evolve, resulting in an ever-changing list of words that are inand words that are out. The meaning is quite close to 'executive summary'. If messaging in a professional context with someone at work, or with a customer or vendor outside your company, avoid abbreviations altogether. As a compromise, the poster will offer a TLDR consisting of a few lines. They might engage better with the content if you offer a summary. It is commonly used on the internet as a way to summarize a long or complex article or piece of text. TLDR Meanings | What Does TLDR Stand For? In its simplest form, TLDR is used to express that a piece of digital text (an article, email, etc.) And what the heck are these new text abbreviations, like TL;DR? The meaning of the acronym is pretty obvious, however, and can generally be taken at face value it's a fast way to say that the referenced article, post, or message is so long that it wasn't worth the full read. Discreet vs. Discrete: Whats the Difference? Rather than referring to physical violence, hit me up simply means contact me or call me. It dates back to the days of pagers in the 1990s, when people would send phone numbers to each other via one-way message. The abbreviation can come off as rude, so its best to avoid using TLDR as a response in professional settings. Next time you see your cousin upload a muffin-baking video that ruins Grandmas recipe, you can definitely comment Youre not supposed to put that much baking powder in the bowlSMH if your cuz is the type to take it in stride. Hey, tight on time. Lucky for you, here are a few slightly less passive-aggressive ways to use the term. 2. chickensoupp 3 yr. ago. It stands for "too long; didn't read". Ordering a pizza when you should be ordering a salad? Typically, people comment TL;DR to say that the original post is too long, and they didn't feel like reading it. Learn more. Its a form of abbreviation in which every letter is pronounced on its own, like DVD or VIP. 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. Both uppercase and lowercase versions of TL;DR (tldr) mean the same thing and are perfectly acceptable. Most of the time, the OP includes the TLDR summary either at the end or beginning of the post. 2023. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! You'll often see this on videos posted to Reddit. But if you're not in the know, they end up being more confusing than anything. This one translates to let me know, and is useful in all sorts of situations for nudging or putting the ball in someones court. Google Analytics history shows searches for the terms TL;DR and TLDR on a slow rise since 2004, but since there's no data available prior to that year, we have no way of truly knowing when this word first emerged. Like most other internet acronyms, it's wise to avoid TLDR in formal writing. It isnt a condemnationits a friendly summary to help you follow along with what was said. ! 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. 126. In a relationship, TLDR can be used to describe a partner who is always talking but never really says anything of substance. Where should I put my tl;dr? - Writing Stack Exchange ", TLDR is a common online abbreviation that stands for "Too Long Didn't Read." TLDR stands for "too long; didn't read." 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. Its a little argumentative, but useful when you need to say things like, IIRC, you promised me so much more. It isnt a condemnationits a friendly summary to help you follow along with what was said. If you write up something wordy, consider whether it needs a TLDR. Get the top TLDR abbreviation related to Texting. Sadly, Google Analytics started in January 2004, so we cant look any further back than that. What is the meaning of TLDR? But this slang term is all about being clear and concise, and getting straight to the good stuff without all the extra padding. 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. AndrewHeinzman writes for How-To Geek and Review Geek. I havent been able to keep up with this thread (TLDR). That's where TLDR comes from. People appreciate having a synopsis of content like this, so if you ever find a post intimidating and take the time to work through it, posting your own TLDR will probably go over well. Internet acronyms help you save effort by not having to type out common phrases all the time. Next time you get a text from your kid asking where their favorite shirt is, reply with IDK, ask your mother/father/sibling.. What is SSH Agent Forwarding and How Do You Use It? Bryce Gruber is an expert in gift ideas, shopping, and e-commerce. After earning a degree in Computer Information Systems, Ben left his IT job to write full-time in 2016 and has never looked back. You've likely seen her work across a variety of women's lifestyle and parenting outlets and on TV shows. Nowadays, most users write the TLDR abbreviation as simply TLDR. tldr. What Does "TLDR" Mean, and How Do You Use It? - How-To Geek BTW, while most of these are textingabbreviationsor initialisms, GOAT is a texting acronymwhats the difference between abbreviation vs. acronym vs. initialism? Proper punctuation is similarly a non-concernwith most text message abbreviations. Meghan graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 2017; her creative nonfiction piece Anticipation was published in the Spring 2017 issue of Angles literary magazine. Caitlin Dewey Since 2004, Google searches for the term TLDR or TL;DR have slowly climbed. And of course, theres nothing wrong with just writing summary. 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. There's probably no scenario in which you should respond to professional messages with "TLDR." Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider. One is TL;DC. 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. How to Use Cron With Your Docker Containers, How to Check If Your Server Is Vulnerable to the log4j Java Exploit (Log4Shell), How to Pass Environment Variables to Docker Containers, How to Use Docker to Containerize PHP and Apache, How to Use State in Functional React Components, How to Restart Kubernetes Pods With Kubectl, How to Find Your Apache Configuration Folder, How to Assign a Static IP to a Docker Container, How to Get Started With Portainer, a Web UI for Docker, How to Configure Cache-Control Headers in NGINX, How Does Git Reset Actually Work? In cases where you can't avoid a large amount of text, you can still format it to make it easy to read. 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. The history behind the internet acronym and and how to use it in a chat, What does NSFW mean? Including it at the beginning lets people know it's there right away, so they don't click away from the post. 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. This way, people don't need to read a 50+ line email. Now that you know what TLDR stands for, let's look at the meaning of TLDR. While people overuse this term, its proper meaning is a long and rambling block of text with little to no formatting. Alice Kelly is a senior news and entertainment editor for YourTango. Delivered to your inbox! Can Power Companies Remotely Adjust Your Smart Thermostat? 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. Reddit Lingo & Formatting Norms: Is it Legit? - Honor Society What Does TLDR Mean, and How Do You Use It? "TL;DR: this piece covers why we as a society need to increase our attention spans." 3. GOAT, almost always preceded by the, means greatest of all time. An acronym thats been all over social media, GOAT can be used to praise a friend (Did you see Michelles fitness routine? But an important email, a big presentation or a business proposal is not the time to use slang or abbreviations of any kind. Its a form of abbreviation in which every letter is pronounced on its own, like DVD or VIP. A TLDR-summary at the end of a long text is sometimes more desirable, as it allows you to sum up all of the details that the reader is digesting. You might wonder how you can use TLDR well in your own posts and avoid others requesting a TLDR in a snarky way. "TLDR" is an acronym that stands for "Too Long; Didn't Read." TL;DR is whats called an initialism. The abbreviation OMG, for oh my God (or gosh, or goodness, or your expression of choice) vastly predates texting. It means "if you couldn't be bothered to read the preceding material because it looked too long (and possibly boring), here is a summary for you". The meaning of RELATIONSHIP is the state of being related or interrelated. And theyve moved beyond text conversations, becoming widespread in social media captions and comments too. TL;DR!". Define TLDR at AcronymFinder.com. Which means that the best way to avoid unwanted digital traces may be simply to never make them. 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. This could look like, TL;DR: Kids made a huge mess, and Im going to be late.. It can be hard to stay current with the latest slang. People tend to accompany their TLDR with a summary of whats being discussed. Youve definitely seen this one all over the Internet and via text, but what does it even mean? TLDR is commonly used to summarize lengthy content and can signal a sort of executive summary at the start of news articles or emails. Know the times texting is better than calling. 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. This is the equivalent of TLDR for video content. GetReaders DigestsRead Up newsletterfor more humor, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long. Why do people say TLDR? 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? Who has time to text out estimated time of arrival?! What does TLDR mean? - Kyoto2.org TL;DR (also sometimes seen without the semicolon as TLDR) means "too long; didn't read." It's an abbreviation that you'll frequently find at the end of internet communications, usually ones with. briefly. For example, TLDR. It's understood that something sent or talked about earlier was. To summarize a long passage. Plate from An Original Theory or New Hypothesis of the Universe by Thomas Wright, 1750. Like most internet trends, we dont really know where this slang term started. Paul Gil is a tech expert, writer, and educator known for his dynamic internet and database courses and articles. TLDR Meanings | What Does TLDR Stand For? As a real casual variation, you might even just see LY (or ly). But words and phrases can change depending on their context, and TLDR is no exception. What Does TL;DR Mean and How Do I Use It? - groovyPost If it doesn't work for you, Chrome has other options, such as TL;DR. Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Try This Comfy Nodpod Weighted Sleep Mask, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Sarah Vincent is an assistant editor for Readers Digest, covering digital lifestyle stories. 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? The acronym TLDR is a shorthand notation used by users to indicate that section seems too long for reading. TLDR Meaning. TLDR can be used to express that a text is too long, identify a short summary of a long text, or ask for a summary of a long text. This texting acronym doesnt have anything to do with four-legged horned mammals. GitHub - PoshCode/tldr: Simplified, community-driven, example-centric Most people know to check the bottom of a post for a TLDR summary, so it's usually best to do this. If you've spent any time on online forums or in the comments sections of news websites or social media posts, you've more than likely encountered the internet shorthand "TLDR.