RTFM

English

"RTFM" used on a demotivational poster

Alternative forms

• rtfm

Phrase

RTFM

1. (Internet slang) read the fucking manual
2. (Internet slang, Unix) Read the fucking man page

Usage notes

• RTFM is used to express frustration at someone who asks questions to which the answers can be easily sought from another source, or in the saying "if at first you don't succeed, RTFM!".
• Also bowdlerized as read the fine manual, read the full manual, read the friendly manual, or read the flamin' (or flaming, flipping, freaking, etc.) manual.

See also

• STFW

Translations

Abbreviation of Read the fucking manual

• (deprecated template usage) Dutch: LVDH (Lees verdomme de handleiding)
• (deprecated template usage) Esperanto: LLFL (Legu la fuŝitan lernolibron)
• French: LLFM (lis le foutu manuel)
• (deprecated template usage) German: LDVH (Lies das verdammte Handbuch)
• Italian: ^{(please verify)} LIFM (leggi il fottuto manuale)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• (deprecated template usage) Japanese: マニュアル読め (マニュアルよめ) (manyuaru yome)
• Portuguese: LAPDM (leia a porra do manual)
• Russian: ^{(please verify)} прочита́й до́лбаное руково́дство (pročitáj dólbanoje rukovódstvo)
• (deprecated template usage) Serbo-Croatian: PJR (Procitaj jebeni recnik)

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French

Etymology

Back-formation from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] English RTFM.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛʁ te ɛf ɛm/

Phrase

RTFM

1. Initialism of regarde ton foutu manuel. (look at your fucking manual)