What does TL;DR mean?
Too Long; Didn't Read
Detailed Explanation
TL;DR is used in two primary ways. First, it's used by the author of a long post or article as a heading for a brief summary of the main points. Second, it can be used by a commenter to dismiss a long piece of text they couldn't be bothered to read. The tone can be either helpful (as a summary) or dismissive (as a comment).
Usage Examples
“The article was huge, but the TL;DR is that the new policy is not effective.”
“TL;DR: I went on vacation, it was great, and now I'm back.”
“Someone posted a 10-paragraph comment and my only reply was 'tldr'.”
Origin & History
The acronym originated in the early 2000s on online forums like the Something Awful forums, as a response to overly long posts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to comment 'TL;DR'?
It can be perceived as rude, as it implies the writer's effort was wasted and their post was not worth reading. When used by the author to provide a summary, it is considered helpful.