Wikipedia
RTFM is an initialism for the expression "read the fucking manual" or, in the context of the Unix computer operating system, "read the fucking man page". The RTFM comment is usually expressed when the speaker is irritated by another person's question or lack of knowledge. It refers to either that person's inability to read a technical manual, or to their perceived laziness in not doing so first, before asking the question.
In expurgated texts, substitutions such as "read the flaming manual", "read the fine manual" or "read the friendly manual" are used (or similar variants). Initialisms similar to RTFM include "STFW" ("search the fucking web"), "GIYF" (" Google is your friend") and "LMGTFY" ("let me Google that for you"). These indicate that the questioner could have easily found the answer to their question on the World Wide Web.
Many alternative expansions for "RTFM" exist, as do many similarly-themed alternative initialisms.
RTFM is the fifth album by American alternative rock band Poster Children, released in 1997. The album title comes from the term RTFM, short for "Read The Fucking Manual".
RTFM is the expression "Read the fucking manual".
RTFM may also refer to:
- RT FAQ Manager, a knowledge base application Request Tracker
- Ray Tracing Figure of Merit, often used in the context of ray tracing or BRL-CAD
- RTFM (album), an album by Poster Children