What Does NSFW Mean, And How To Use It
What Does “NSFW” Mean, and How Do You Use It?
NSFW is an unusual, all-purpose internet acronym that has made its way into articles and social media posts. However, what does NSFW stand for, where did it originate, and how do you use it? Not to worry—this article is rated PG-13.
NSFW - Not Safe for Work
NSFW is an acronym for "not safe for work." When properly used, NSFW serves as a warning that a link to a webpage, video, photo, or audio clip contains objectionable content. While the term is frequently associated with pornography, it is frequently used to denote violent, foul, offensive, or even politically charged content.
NSFW, despite its literal meaning (not safe for work), is used to protect you from public embarrassment (or, you know, from traumatizing your kids). It may appear in the title of a YouTube video, the header of an email, or immediately preceding an outgoing link on a website or news article.
In some cases, NSFW is used to indicate that a webpage may make you feel uneasy—that is the breadth of the term. NSFW is frequently accompanied by a "trigger word" or "TW" label in these instances. For example, a video containing graphic images of war may be labeled "NSFW TW: War" or something similar.
NSFW Etymology
Previously, avoiding inappropriate content was a relatively simple task. Movies were rated R, dirty magazines were labeled as such, and The Maury Show began with a warning to parents to remove any children from the room immediately.
However, in the internet age, anyone can create content. And, as one might expect, people rarely feel compelled to flag their own photos, videos, or webpages as inappropriate. (To be fair, individuals typically post their "inappropriate" content in communities where such content is considered acceptable.)
NSFW appears to be a modern incarnation of the phrase "This show contains scenes that may offend some viewers." And, while that is how the term is currently used, the term originated as a response to a very specific problem.
According to VICE, the term NSFW originated in the culture of the Snopes.com forum. In 1998, a woman complained on the forum that users should label inappropriate posts with the abbreviation "NFBSK" — "not for British school children." Perhaps she should have purchased a copy of Net Nanny software.
Anyway, this complaint developed into a Snopes inside joke, which was so amusing that Snopes decided to create a forum for NFBSK. (Don't bother looking for it; it's essentially a year's worth of South Park.)
Although NFBSK gained popularity as a joke, it addressed a serious issue that other words were unable to adequately describe. The internet is filthy, but it is ubiquitous. NFBSK gradually made its way into a plethora of forums and chatrooms. It was abbreviated as "NSFW," and hey, it's now in Webster's dictionary!
When Do You Say NSFW?
Unlike some other internet jargon, the term NSFW is quite simple to use. It can be used as a label or as a literal acronym in a sentence. That is all.
NSFW is only useful as a label if it appears before the inappropriate content you're sending. It belongs in an email's header, a Reddit post, or a website's footer. And, while websites like YouTube enjoy autoplaying videos, labeling inappropriate videos with "NSFW" is still a good idea.
And, yes, you should do the same thing with text messages. Simply include the phrase "NSFW" in messages that contain links to objectionable content. If you're attaching photos or videos to a message, check with the recipient first to ensure they're okay with receiving NSFW content. (If you believe this will cause them discomfort, you should probably refrain from sending them inappropriate content in the first place.)
As a literal acronym, you simply use NSFW wherever the phrase "not safe for work" fits grammatically. For instance, if someone sends you a link, you can inquire, "Is this NSFW?"
As with NSFW, the term SFW can be used as a descriptive term or a literal acronym. You can mark messages, emails, and links as SFW and ask your friends, "Is this SFW?"
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