Have you ever come across the term NSFW? You must have. However, on the off chance if you didn’t, then spare yourself a minute or two to familiarize yourself with it.
Many internet jargons are floating around on the digital space. Each day new jargon is born on the internet and each day new jargon is exiting the digital realm. In this fast world of the internet, some jargon is born to stay and one of them happens to be the NSFW.
NSFW is one of those jargons that have managed to survive a long time. The reason behind this is its extreme usefulness. Nothing till now has been able to replace the message conveyed by our dear old NSFW.
This is one of those acronyms that you must know. Additionally, you must know the use of this term because knowing about NSFW may save you from many embarrassing and dreadful situations.
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Origin of Not Safe For Work (NSFW)
NSFW which is now a widely known internet slang first entered the internet world in the year 1998. This was a time when the internet displayed only some primary colors and pictures were mainly in the form of clipart.
It was a woman who first suggested the use of a term to keep children away from objectionable content. This suggestion was made by her on Snopes.com which was an online forum. According to her, the forum was accessed by children and that children should not come across any rude content. The forum members agreed with her suggestion and came up with the acronym ‘NFBSK.’ NFBSK was a short form for ‘Not For British School Kids.’
The abbreviation NFBSK stuck for a long time and later it found its way into the internet jargon. NFBSK later evolved into our modern-day,‘Not Safe For Work’ (NSFW).
In 2003, NSFW came into the Urban Dictionary. Later in 2015, it also got added into the Merriam Webster’s Dictionary.
What is ‘NSFW?’
The NSFW is an acronym that stands for ‘Not Safe For Work.’ NSFW can be found on the internet in online discussion boards, subject lines, online videos, and other online platforms. It is basically an acronym that warns people that the content one is about to open may be unsuitable to be viewed in the workplace or around children.
Image Credit: itweb.co.za
The NSFW is mostly used for rude, pornographic or explicit content. With time the situation and the context for which it was used are changing. While for some subjects it is obvious that they are not suitable for viewing for a certain audience or at the workplace. Other times, it totally depends on the situation in which the term is being used.
For example, a media website may publish an article on ‘Free the nipple’ movement but they may label it as Not Safe For Work. If you reflect on it the NSFW, in this case, destroys the purpose of ‘Free the nipple’ movement.
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How to use NSFW?
The use of NSFW in day to day life is easy. It can be used as an acronym and it can also be used as a label.
Remember the idea of using NSFW is to warn the receiver of opening the content and it is usually used in this context. It is also used in conversation but only to describe such situations.
It can be used as a headline of a Reddit post, an email, and as a headline of an article. It can also be added to YouTube videos before the video in question starts to play.
The use of NSFW also extends to Whatsapp, text messages, links, photos, videos, and blogs. It’s advisable to send this warning whenever there is an objectionable content or some type of content that is best viewed alone.
Further, if any time you are having doubts about a message or email you can simply ask the sender if its NSFW or SFW (Safe For Work)?
Examples of how NSFW is used
Not Safe For Work can be used in various situations. It can be used in email subject lines or normal conversations. To give you a better understanding of how to use NSFW in real life we are providing the below-given examples:
Example of ‘Not Safe For Work’ use in Statements
1) In a newspaper article, a woman expressed her anger and said, “The Company shouldn’t have fired me. I had sent an email to my close friend in the office, but I had also labeled the email as Not Safe For Work.”
2) Tabloids believed that the actress was looking Not Safe For Work as the actress looked ravishing in her dress.
Example of Not Safe for Work use in Email
In an email subject line NSFW can be used in the following ways:
1) NSFW (open at your own risk)
2) Warning! NSFW subject ahead
3) Not safe for work! Open when alone!
Example of ‘Not Safe For Work’ use in Conversation
Boss: John why did you open an email in the office which was marked NSFW?
John: Sir, I didn’t know the full form of that abbreviation. If I knew what NSFW meant I wouldn’t have opened it.
Boss: ok John. I am getting that this was an honest mistake. Therefore, I am letting this incident slide this once. But note that from now on you are never to be seen reading such content at the office. If I catch you again you will be fired!
John: I completely understand that sir and I apologize for my mistake. It won’t happen again.
Final Thoughts
So now you know what NSFW means and how to use it. This is one of those abbreviations that you cannot afford to not know. Knowing what NSFW stands for can mean the difference between having and losing your job.
Now, if you want to send an email with explicit or objectionable content do remember to warn your friends by using NSFW. You will be doing a favor to both yourself and your friend by using the NSFW warning.
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