person texting 'tfw you text the wrong #'

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What does TFW actually mean?

That feeling when you don't know what TFW means.

 

Amy-Mae Turner

Internet Culture

Posted on Jun 19, 2018   Updated on May 21, 2021, 1:12 pm CDT

What does TFW mean? It’s as much a feeling as it as an acronym. Here’s everything you need to know about TFW to use it correctly.

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What does TFW mean?

TFW typically means “that feeling when,” but its exact meaning is slightly ambiguous. TFW can also stand for “that feel when” or even “the feel when.”

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Usually used at the beginning of a sentence, TFW (or tfw) is used as an attempt to evoke a common feeling from your audience.

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What else could TFW mean?

Some interpret TFW as “that face when” which sort of means the same thing, as in, the expression your face makes when you have a certain physical or emotional reaction. Alternatively, over on YouTube, TFW is shorthand for “thanks for watching.”

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The history of TFW

TFW is thought to have evolved from the “I know that feel bro” meme which is used online to convey empathy and/or sympathy. A notable example of TFW is “tfw no gf.” This means “that feeling when you don’t have a girlfriend.” It’s common internet vernacular to replace “feeling” or “feelings” with a simple, concise “feel.” 

Another common example is saying that something “gets you in your feels” or “gives you all the feels.” Translation: You’re getting really emotional, and you’re not afraid to let everyone know. 

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How to use TFW

1) TFW can be used to describe a physical feeling, whether it’s uncomfortable, awkward, painful, or exciting.

https://twitter.com/Karichap83/status/1000969181100167169

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2) TFW is used to describe an emotional experience. This is usually an emotional reaction that has been personified with a GIF, meme, or image. 

@TheCorgiCorner/Twitter

3) TFW can also be employed as a humorous way to caption images, GIFs or video.

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Editor’s note: This article is regularly updated for relevance. 

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*First Published: Jun 19, 2018, 5:45 am CDT
 

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