Urban Dictionary Review

A while back, I was at an online forum when I came across a message that began with the cryptic abbreviation, IIRC.    Stumped, I read through the post to see if there were any context clues that would help me identify the abbreviation.  No such luck.  So, I did some brainstorming:  If I Really Could (maybe)...Is it Really Clear (not likely)...Hmmm.

Nothing sounded right, and the obsessive part of my personality was dying to know the real answer.  That's when I discovered urbandictionary.com.

Turns out, IIRC is shorthand for "If I Recall Correctly."  Those of you who are trendy, forum-reading, Blackberry-texting champions already knew that I'm sure.  But those of us for whom the world of text messaging, chat rooms, and online game parlors is a fleeting occurrence, the compilers of urbandictionary.com provide a must-bookmark website to keep you from getting lost in translation.

Urban Dictionary definitions are added or edited by website users.  Editors check out all of the submissions, and the definitions that are deemed satisfactory end up on the website.  My feeling is that most teens and young adults already know most of the verbiage on the website so those users are likely to visit just for fun.  It's real value to non-trendy, mature adults is that it lets us keep up with what the young folks are talking about.  I've referred to this resource on several occasions to help me decode abbreviations and phrases on online forums, to wit:

soul patch = tuft of hair grown under center of bottom lip (very hip and masculine)

emo =  subculture of people (usually angsty teens) with a fake personality.

idgi =  I don't get it

Like any good dictionary, Urban Dictionary often has more than one meaning for an entry.  There are also multiple examples so that you will know the correct way to use your newly found slang word in a proper sentence within the proper context:

YMMV =  "Your mileage may vary" but is often used in forum talk meaning that your results will vary. i.e. ,

"There is a great sale going on at the store, most under $10, but YMMV"

and so on...

Reader be warned:  in addition to the helpful jargon descriptors named above there are many entries that are sexually suggestive, in poor taste, and otherwise offensive on many different levels.  This is not a site for the sensitive.   I only use it to quickly find an abbreviation, and then I run like crazy.  A couple of entries I stumbled upon left me feeling like I needed a shower!  (I guess I'm the sensitive type).

Personally, it's not a website that I would visit for fun or to spend any time browsing, but urbandictionary.com has proven to be invaluable in helping me decode the lingo that this age of technology has spawned.

YMMV.