What Does TBH and IDK Mean?
The world of online communication is filled with dozens of new abbreviations, terms and slang. If you are struggling to understand the various terms used online these days, you’re not alone. Two of the most commonly used terms today are TBH and IDK. But what do they mean? Let’s take a look.
What Does TBH Mean?
TBH stands for ‘To Be Honest’, and is often used to express devotion to truthfulness in an upfront and honest way. The term conveys sincerity and authenticity and is used to draw attention to the truthfulness of a statement. When used among friends and peers, TBH shows openness, trust and transparency.
When using TBH, you don’t need to worry about the filter that may normally be in place when discussing certain matters. By using TBH, you are expressing that your response is an honest one- without hesitance or hidden motives. It is also used frequently for compliments or positive statements, as a sort of acknowledgement of truthfulness.
In an online context, TBH is used to reassure followers that the influencer or content creator is being honest in their opinion or advice. Other users may reply to it with ‘I appreciate your honesty’, or ‘TBH – agreeing with you here’.
What Does IDK Mean?
Essentially, IDK stands for ‘I Don’t Know’. It is used in conversation, both in person and online, to indicate a lack of knowledge or understanding. It is used as a response when you are unsure of the answer to a question or when you are at a loss for what to say. It is also used to give someone a definite answer when you don’t have the answer – a polite, no-nonsense response to a question that you do not know the answer to.
In an online context, IDK is almost always expressed without punctuation or capitalization. It is a slang term, used for a quick response and is less formal than writing out ‘I don’t know’ in full.
Conclusion
When trying to decipher the various terms used online, the main takeaway here is that TBH and IDK both convey a sense of honesty and openness. TBH expresses devotion to truthfulness in an upfront and honest way, while IDK shows you don’t have an answer and are looking for one. These are just a couple of the dozens of terms used online every day, so make sure to do your research when communicating with others.