RTFM
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Computer
| Stands for | Read the f***ing manual |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
RTFM stands for Read the f***ing manual, a computer abbreviation.
Blunt reply in tech support, online forums and programming communities telling someone their question is answered in the documentation. It is considered rude, and many communities ask members to link the relevant page instead.
Example: He posted the same question for the third time, and someone just replied "RTFM".
Usage notes
The phrase circulated among programmers and military technicians by the late 1970s. Polite backronyms include "read the fine manual" and "read the friendly manual". Relatives include STFW (search the f***ing web) and RTFA (read the article), common in comment sections of news sites.
Related abbreviations
More computer abbreviations
- PICNIC – Problem in chair, not in computer
- PnP – Plug and Play
- POSIX – Portable Operating System Interface
- POST – Power-on self-test
- PrtSc – Print Screen key
- ReFS – Resilient File System
- RTL – Right-to-left
- RTOS – Real-time operating system
- SFC – System File Checker
- SOHO – Small office/home office
- sudo – Superuser do
- TTY – Teletypewriter (Unix terminal)