TFW is internet slang for ‘that feeling when,’ ‘that feeling when,’ or ‘that face when’ and is used to convey emotions about something. In this post, we’ll talk about How to Use TFW & what does TFW stand for. Let’s get started!
Probably you spotted it in a social media post, a comment, or even a text that starts with TFW. And is follow through a phrase also. It is a famous saying on social media, and no, it’s not always grammatically correct.
what does TFW mean
TFW is an internet acronym that stands for “that feeling when.” A funny or emotive image mostly accompanies this acronym. Numerous people use it to give emotional context or also a commentary on a situation.
Somehow, TFW is more like a meme than an actual acronym you use in a sentence, like FOMO. It mostly follows a strict format, where a sentence beginning with TFW is most of the time (but not always) accompanied by an emotive picture. This sentence can be relevant to your life, such as “TFW your bathroom floods,” Or it could only be a joke, such as “TFW your friends also know about Pennywise the clown.”
Moreover, that’s not to say that TFW always follows a strict meme format. On its own, TFW indicates to readers that a post or message consists of an emotional context. So, “TFW” can mean something on its own without being accompanied by a picture or message.
So in most cases, you probably reply to a ridiculous or hateful Facebook with a basic “TFW.” Folks who know what TFW means should understand that you’re saying, “this post is bonkers!”. Just like that, you could reply to an unexpected message from an ex with “TFW” or reply to a funny image with “TFW.”
The etymology of TFW | tfw meaning
Some folks also swear that TFW stands for “that face when.” And in a way, they maybe are right as well.
Besides, back in 2009, folks on the 4chan music board (called /mu/) started saying “MFW” or “my face when.” Oddly enough, MFW is even used in the same way that we use TFW today. People would post a funny picture of a face along with a sentence like “MFW people call chess a sport.”
Around this same time, the word “feel” actually developed as slang for the word “feeling.” Memes such as “I know that feel bro” started to spread across the internet. And the “Feels Guy” reaction image became an ordinary piece of internet & nerd culture.
Like MFW, the Feels Guy meme was used to respond to emotional situations. Although, while MFW usually conveyed disgust or awe, the Feels Guy meme was used to describe a feeling of shame, sadness, doubt, or emasculation as well.
These two similar ideas merge to become TFW in 2010 or 2011—that’s when TFW was first correctly defined on the Urban Dictionary. So, TFW’s grammatical usage has not changed much since then; the word has become a lot broader. It is a useful acronym for expressing emotions on the internet, a place that’s scandalous for its emotional opacity.
How to use TFW
People typically use TFW to convey some feeling or emotion in any given context. That’s relatable enough for other folks online to know exactly what you mean — yet while remaining open-ended sufficient that they can also come up with their interpretation of it.
Furthermore, the grammatically correct way to say TFW would work actually along the lines of, “I love the feeling you get when” or I love that feeling when.”
In the initialism, the word “feel” is used as a shortened, slang term for “feeling.”
Examples of How to use TFW | tfw meaning
“TFW, you’re lying in bed at 4 am still wide awake.”
“Also, TFW, you finally get a text back after seven & a half hours.”
“TFW, you realize you almost just poured coffee in your cereal rather than milk.”
These three instances above should give you a great idea of how the trend works. In general, the acronym is used at the beginning of a sentence, followed by some mundane. Everyday activity that most folks have done before.
TFW in Your Own Online or Text Vocabulary | tfw meaning
TFW can work with more exciting, not-so-mundane activities. They tend to come off as more humorous & also exaggerated than relatable, though. For instance:
“TFW, when you go skydiving but forget to take out your retainer first.”
That is relatable? Not really, but Hilarious? Absolutely yes.
Building on the humorous or exaggerated effect of TFW. Online users will sometimes put TFW at the beginning of a completely ridiculous situation that is extremely specific & not relatable. (Although, at least somewhat imaginable thanks to the detailed description) to exaggerate the expression.
The acronym is very famous on Twitter & Instagram since it perfectly describes hilarious, odd, and awkward situations. Through using text speak, bad grammar, and even short forms of other words.
As with most of the memes & acronyms that seemingly tend to come out of nowhere, TFW is primarily embraced through younger social media users who have no issue. With never spelling anything correctly or also using improper grammar.
Although the internet is becoming increasingly visual these days and the number of social media platforms driven by picture & video sharing, the rise of emoji, plus the TFW trend, offers just a little extra communicable emotion that can left up to the reader’s imagination also.
Conclusion
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