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from Wikipedia
RTFM is an initialism and internet slang for the expression "read the fucking manual", typically used to reply to a basic question where the answer is easily found in the documentation, user guide, owner's manual, man page, online help, internet forum, software documentation or FAQ.
Usage is variously viewed as a pointed reminder of etiquette to try to find a solution before posting to a mass forum or email alias;[1] helping a newer user (colloquially and demeaningly referred to as a noob within internet culture) to improve themselves;[2] as a useless response;[3] or as a hostile and elitist response.[4] Polite usages would mention where one has looked when asking a question, and to provide an exact location or link where exactly to RTFM.
In expurgated texts, substitutions such as "read the frickn' manual", "read the factory manual", "read the field manual", "read the flaming manual", "read the fine manual", "read the friendly manual", "read the [pause] manual" or similar variants are used.[5]
If there is no appropriate content in the manual but the answer is frequently seen in the forum, a similar response in internet culture might be to "lurk moar", meaning to observe the forum for a time before asking questions.
A related phrase is "let me Google that for you" (LMGTFY). In this case, the "manual" is the World Wide Web, so one of several search engines such as Google could be used to look up the answer. In many cases, doing so provides an answer in less time than it takes to ask someone else the question. The range of usage is similar to that for RTFM.[6]
List of similar initialisms
[edit]- RTBM – "read the bloody manual"[7]
- RTFQ – "read the fucking question"[8]
- RTFA – "read the fucking/featured article"– common on news forums such as Fark[9] and Slashdot, where using "TFA" instead of "the article" has become a meme[citation needed]
- WABM – "write a better manual" – an answer complaining that the manual is not written well[10]
- RTFS – "read the fucking source" or "read the fucking standard" or "read the fucking syllabus"[11]
- RTFB – "read the fucking binary"[12]
- STFW – "search the fucking web"[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "RTFM. No seriously, R.T.F.M. Then ask your question". 4 August 2011. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
- ^ "What is Read The F###ing Manual (RTFM)?". 15 May 2012. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
- ^ "RTFM: I did, and it didn't help". 19 November 2007. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
- ^ "It's Time to Retire "RTFM"". 17 April 2019. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
- ^ Howard, Michael, David LeBlanc, and John Viega. 19 Deadly Sins of Software Security: Programming Flaws and How to Fix Them. New York: McGraw-Hill/Osborne, 2005. ISBN 0-07-226085-8.
- ^ "Let me google that for you". 22 January 2007. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
- ^ "RTBM definition". foldoc.com. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
- ^ Kennedy, Daragh (2024). "R.T.F.Q." medium.com. Medium.
- ^ "Routine traffic stop has man up in arms. Er, caught red-handed. Er, never mind, just RTFA". Fark.com. 2008-11-28. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
- ^ "RTFM is a four-letter word". Software Sustainability Institute. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ^ "RTFS". The Jargon File – version 4.4.7. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- ^ "RTFB". The Jargon File – version 4.4.7. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- ^ Eric S. Raymond (21 May 2014). "RTFM and STFW: How To Tell You've Seriously Screwed Up". How to ask Smart Questions. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
External links
[edit]
from Grokipedia
RTFM is an initialism commonly used in computing and technical communities, standing for "Read The Fucking Manual" or the politer variant "Read The Fine Manual," which serves as a directive to consult product documentation or user guides before asking questions about straightforward issues.[1][2] Often employed in online forums, software development, and IT support, the phrase can convey frustration and is sometimes perceived as dismissive or condescending toward novices.[2]
The term's origins trace back to early computing documentation, with one of the earliest documented appearances in the 1979 LINPACK Users' Guide, a seminal software library manual for numerical linear algebra, where "R.T.F.M. -- Anonymous" appears in the table of contents as a humorous aside encouraging readers to refer to the manual.[3] By the early 1980s, RTFM had entered broader usage within technical discussions, notably in a 1983 Usenet post referencing VMS mainframe communities, where it advised users to review extensive manual volumes rather than repeatedly inquiring about basic functions.[4] This reflects the era's reliance on printed or voluminous documentation amid limited digital search capabilities, a context that amplified the acronym's utility and eventual spread into internet slang.[4]
Over time, RTFM has become a staple of hacker culture and open-source etiquette, symbolizing self-reliance in troubleshooting while underscoring tensions between experienced practitioners and newcomers in collaborative environments.[1] Variants like "Read The Friendly Manual" have emerged to soften its tone, but the original form persists in informal settings, highlighting ongoing debates about supportive versus terse communication in technical fields.[2]
Definition and Meaning
Primary Definition
RTFM is an initialism for "Read The Fucking Manual," a piece of internet slang that originated in computing and technical communities to direct individuals to consult instructional materials before asking for assistance.[5] This acronym serves as a direct and often blunt exhortation to engage in self-education by reviewing resources such as user manuals, frequently asked questions (FAQs), or technical guides, particularly when the inquirer has overlooked readily available information.[6] The literal intent of RTFM underscores a frustration with repetitive or basic queries that could be resolved through existing documentation, promoting the value of independent problem-solving in technical contexts.[2] It is commonly delivered in a sarcastic or exasperated tone, signaling impatience toward those who bypass standard references in favor of seeking immediate help from others.[7] A non-profane variant, "Read The Fine Manual," emerged as a polite or ironic alternative in technical writing and discussions, softening the original phrasing while retaining the core directive to consult detailed instructions.[6]Euphemistic and Alternative Forms
To adapt the directive of RTFM for professional, educational, or family-friendly settings, several euphemistic expansions have emerged that preserve the acronym while substituting the profane element with less offensive terms. The most common include "Read The Fine Manual," which emphasizes the quality of the documentation, and "Read The Friendly Manual," portraying the manual as approachable and helpful. Other variations, such as "Read The Fabulous Manual" and "Read The Frigging Manual"—the latter using a mild expletive substitute—further soften the tone while maintaining the original intent of urging self-consultation of resources. These alternative forms serve to deliver the same message of promoting self-reliance and discouraging redundant inquiries without causing unnecessary offense, particularly in collaborative environments like workplaces or online communities where explicit language may violate norms. By reframing the acronym, they encourage users to engage with documentation proactively, fostering a culture of independence in problem-solving. This approach aligns with broader efforts to balance directness with courtesy, allowing the expression to remain useful across diverse audiences.[8] Examples of their adoption appear in technical documentation and support resources where profanity is avoided. For instance, the Wireshark Developer's Guide explicitly defines RTFM as "Read The Fine Manual" to guide contributors toward consulting existing materials. Similarly, in software guides and customer support scripts, such as those for open-source projects, these variants are employed to politely redirect users to manuals or FAQs, ensuring clear communication without alienating newcomers.[9] The evolution of these euphemisms traces to the 1990s, when expanding internet access heightened awareness of online etiquette and the need for inclusive language. As documented in early netiquette guidelines, such as RFC 1855, users were advised to reference manuals before posting questions to prevent "grumpy 'RTFM' (read the fine manual) messages," prompting the development of bowdlerized versions to promote harmonious interactions in growing digital forums.[8]History and Etymology
Early Appearances
One of the earliest documented appearances of the acronym RTFM is in the 1979 LINPACK Users' Guide, a software library manual for numerical linear algebra, where "R.T.F.M. -- Anonymous" is listed in the table of contents as a humorous encouragement to consult the manual.[10] The earliest documented use of the full profane expansion "Read The Fucking Manual" occurred in 1983 on USENET, within discussions involving the VMS (Virtual Memory System) operating system community. In an October 17, 1983, posting to the comp.unix.wizards newsgroup titled "Wanted VMS BACKUP for UNIX," the term was employed to chide users for failing to consult available documentation on the VMS BACKUP tape format. The message explicitly stated: "The VMS people have a cute little piece of advice for people who are too slug-headed to read the manuals: RTFM." This instance, preserved in digital archives, signifies the first recorded appearance of the expanded profane form in hacker discourse, highlighting the frustration common among early computing professionals when dealing with repeated basic inquiries.[4] Prior to the proliferation of searchable digital archives like USENET (which began in 1980), RTFM and similar phrases likely emerged in non-public contexts within UNIX and mainframe environments during the late 1970s. Historical analyses of hacker culture indicate that the term circulated informally through internal memos, technical support notes, and verbal exchanges among programmers at institutions such as Bell Labs and university computing centers, where dense documentation was the primary resource for troubleshooting complex systems. However, due to the ephemeral nature of these pre-internet communications, verifiable examples prior to 1979 have not survived in accessible form.[4] Archival evidence from early mailing lists and digital repositories further supports RTFM's roots in these specialized communities. For example, references in preserved USENET threads from the mid-1980s frequently allude to the acronym's established use among VMS and UNIX users, underscoring its rapid adoption as a shorthand for encouraging self-reliance in reading technical manuals. These early instances laid the groundwork for RTFM's integration into broader hacker lexicon, distinct from its later euphemistic variants like "Read The Fine Manual."Development and Spread
The term RTFM gained formal recognition in hacker culture through its inclusion in the Hacker's Jargon File, a lexicon of technical slang first compiled in 1975 at MIT's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory to document jargon from early computing environments like the ARPANET and UNIX systems.[11] Maintained and expanded by Eric S. Raymond starting in 1990, with major revisions in the early 1990s leading to published editions, the file defined RTFM as an abbreviation for "Read The Fucking Manual," a brusque directive used by experts to rebuff queries deemed basic or easily resolvable through documentation, thereby cementing its role as an expression of frustration in programming circles.[12] In the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, RTFM proliferated in decentralized online networks, becoming a hallmark response in USENET newsgroups such as those in the comp.sys.* hierarchy, where users frequently encountered repeated inquiries about system configurations and software usage.[13] Bulletin board systems (BBS), which peaked in popularity during this era as dial-up hubs for file sharing and discussions among hobbyists and professionals, similarly embedded RTFM in their etiquette, often as a terse reminder to consult available resources before seeking community help.[14] This usage reflected the resource constraints of pre-web internet, where bandwidth and time were limited, encouraging self-sufficiency among participants. The rise of open-source software in the 1990s further entrenched RTFM within collaborative development communities, particularly around Linux and the GNU Project, where documentation was viewed as essential for user empowerment and code modification.[15] In these circles, RTFM symbolized not just impatience but a cultural norm of thorough preparation before engaging communal knowledge. By the mid-1990s, as the World Wide Web emerged, RTFM disseminated globally via early web-based forums and Internet Relay Chat (IRC) channels, where it transitioned from niche tech argot to a broader marker of online impatience with uninformed questions.[16] Tech media outlets began referencing it in discussions of emerging internet norms, introducing the acronym to wider audiences beyond hardcore programmers and contributing to its integration into everyday digital vernacular.[13]Usage Contexts
In Computing and Technology
In computing and technology, RTFM serves as a directive in technical support scenarios, where it prompts users to consult existing documentation before seeking assistance, thereby streamlining interactions in helpdesks, forums, and issue trackers. Commonly encountered on platforms such as Stack Overflow and GitHub, responders invoke RTFM to guide querents toward API references, man pages, or project README files when questions reveal a lack of prior research into available resources. This usage underscores a norm of efficiency, as seen in open-source communities where maintainers emphasize self-directed troubleshooting to manage high volumes of inquiries.[17] The acronym also fulfills an educational role by instilling habits of independent problem-solving among developers and system administrators. It encourages examination of source code comments, official wikis, and error logs prior to public queries, fostering skills in interpreting technical materials and reducing reliance on communal support for basic issues.[18] In programming workflows, this practice enhances productivity by promoting familiarity with tools and languages through direct engagement with primary documentation, a principle echoed in software engineering pedagogy. Specific examples illustrate RTFM's application in software and hardware contexts. When debugging Unix commands, users frequently receive RTFM responses urging them to review man pages for syntax and options, such as troubleshooting thegrep utility's flags before posting on support channels.[19] Similarly, in hardware configuration, advice like "RTFM before tweaking BIOS settings" directs novices to vendor manuals to avoid misconfigurations that could lead to system instability.[20]
In recent years, particularly since 2023, RTFM has been applied in AI development, where developers prompt large language models to 'RTFM' by referencing online documentation to improve tool mastery and reduce errors in automated tasks.[21]
Since the 1980s, RTFM has shaped community norms in fields like systems administration and software engineering, cultivating a culture of self-sufficiency that values proactive documentation review over immediate aid requests. Originating in early Usenet discussions, it reinforced expectations for informed participation, helping sustain collaborative environments amid growing user bases.[18] This ethos persists in modern tech ecosystems, where it balances accessibility with the need to preserve expert time for complex challenges.[22]