What does NSFW mean?
Not Safe For Work
Detailed Explanation
NSFW is an acronym and content warning for 'Not Safe For Work.' It is used to label links, images, videos, or text that contain content, such as nudity, profanity, or violence, that would be inappropriate to view in a professional environment or in public. It serves as a crucial piece of internet etiquette, warning users to use discretion before clicking.
Usage Examples
“Be careful opening that link, it's marked as NSFW.”
“The subreddit has a strict NSFW policy.”
“He almost got in trouble for opening an NSFW email at his desk.”
Origin & History
The acronym originated on internet forums in the late 1990s as a way for users to warn each other about potentially problematic content. It addressed a common problem for people who browsed the internet at their jobs, and it quickly became a universal standard for content labeling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SFW?
SFW stands for 'Safe For Work.' It is the opposite of NSFW and is used to label content that is appropriate for all audiences, or to clarify that a link from a typically NSFW source is, in this case, safe.