STFU

Definition

STFU is an abbreviation for the phrase “Shut the Fuck Up”. Shut the Fuck Up is a variation of the simpler phrase “Shut Up”, using rudeness for added emphasis through shock value. However, in its abbreviated form it is considered less aggressive, and arguably less offensive.

Usage

The phrase STFU is used to express a person’s feelings in relation to another’s dialogue, and is a request that the aforementioned other cease talking or otherwise conversing. As such, it is often used in web chats, forums, texting, and in some cases simple talking. It is predominantly used by persons conversing in text, however, as face-to-face communication is in general politer then text-based parlance. It is therefore predominantly transmitted through electronic formats.

In addition to text based usage, STFU sees common usage in images. These consist of both images created exclusively created for the phrase STFU and usage in image macros.

Origin of the Phrase and History of Usage

Shut Up

The phrase “Shut Up” originally was not used as an imperative. To say someone was shut up meant that they were imprisoned, locked up, or otherwise forcibly contained in some area. The usage of the phrase in this manner is considerably old, with sources as early as the Christian Bible containing passages stating that if persons show certain symptoms of illness that they will be “shut up”, or quarantined.

According to a source, namely Harriet Wilson’s New England by Jerri Boggis, Eva Raimon and Barbara White, the modern usage of the phrase Shut Up to compel silence dates back to the Sixteenth century. This theory believes that passages from works like King Lear, Little Dorrit and Barrack-Room Ballads. However, these sources only use phrases containing shut up which have the same meaning; they do not actively use the phrase Shut Up in its modern form.

As early as 1859, the modern form of the phrase was being used in literary works. In 1892 the phrase was used by the poet Rudyard Keating in his poem The Young British Soldier, which may have helped popularize the phrase in its modern usage.

Online Usage

The exact origin of STFU itself, as is the case with many internet slang acronyms, is unknown as it has seen such widespread use. STFU, being a vulgar form of Shut Up, has likely been used for nearly as long as the internet has been a public resource.