

Since GTFO means “get the f*** out,” what exactly does “out” mean? The acronym connects to the idea of internet “spaces,” which are pockets of the internet where people interact. RELATED: What Are MMOs and MMORPGs? Internet “Spaces” and GTFO MMORPGs such as Everquest and World of Warcraft began gaining mainstream popularity in the 2000s, which inevitably led to millions of people openly hurling these terms at each other during gameplay. This definition gives us some insight into one environment where these internet insults were very common: gaming. The earliest definition of GTFO on Urban Dictionary was written in December 2002 and reads, “Insulting: Get the F*** Out,” with the example “GTFO & STFU, noob.” It then found its way to early internet forums like 4Chan, before landing on modern social media sites like Reddit and Twitter. However, the acronym version emerged at around the same time as other internet slang terms-during the 1990s and early 2000s, when internet relay chat became popular. The actual phrase, “get the f*** out,” has been around for a long time in America, with many appearances in movies and books throughout the late 20th century.

This term is closely related to STFU or “shut the f*** up.” In some scenarios, you can use these two terms interchangeably. However, depending on the context, “gtfo” tends to be more relaxed, whereas “GTFO” can seem more agitated. Alternatively, you can use it to describe something or someone that’s entirely unwelcome in a space, such as spam or graphic content.Īs with other acronyms, GTFO is acceptable in both uppercase and lowercase. GTFO means “get the f*** out.” It’s an insult directed at someone you consider annoying, stupid, or actively trolling.
