![PDF File (Slang) PDF File slang term and meme example.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/mobile/000/050/931/cover7.jpg)
PDF File (Slang)
Part of a series on Algospeak / Slang Replacement. [View Related Entries]
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About
PDF File is an online slang term that has been used instead of the word "pedophile" due to a phonetic similarity. The term, which originally stands for the document file format "Portable Document Format," is an example of algospeak and has also been used in Names Soundalikes memes. Used online since at least 2016, the slang term achieved more prominence in the 2020s following several viral Who Is He and Why Does He misinterpretation memes.
Origin
Portable Document Format (PDF) is a type of document file format developed by the computer software company Adobe and used by its software Acrobat Reader and its analogs.
On May 2nd, 2016, X[1] user @Hozay_ made the earliest joke based on the phonetic similarity between the word pair "PDF file" and the word "pedophile." The post, which referenced rapper Tyga's relationship with socialite Kylie Jenner, received over 5,600 reposts and 4,900 likes in eight years (shown below).
![The theme was technology so Tyga went as a...PDF file. Oohimbouttaputanameformaselfhea @Hozay_ The theme was technology so Tyga went as a...PDF file. 9:22 PM May 2, 2016](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/002/881/522/a32.jpg)
In 2020 and 2021, the phonetic similarity was used in a number of misinterpretation memes. On March 26th, 2020, Redditor og_roni posted the earliest found misinterpretation meme based on it, a Staring Cat meme, which gained over 19,000 upvotes in the /r/okbuddyretard[2] subreddit prior to removal (shown below, left).
On July 2nd, 2021, Redditor Accomplished-Owl-653 posted a Watermelon Helmet meme that received over 5,500 upvotes in the subreddit[3] prior to being removed (shown below, right). The later meme saw further spread online through reposts.
![Guys What the F (Frick) Is a PDF FIle? GUYS WHAT THE F (FRICK) IS A PDF FILE AND WHY DID MY UNCLE GET ARRESTED made with mematic FOR IT?](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/002/881/530/6d9.jpg)
![What Is a PDF File and Why Is My Uncle Under Arrest for Being One WHAT IS A PDF FILE AND AND WHY IS MY UNCLE UNDER ARREST FOR BEING ONE](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/002/881/540/74c.jpg)
Spread
In the following years, the term achieved more prominence as an algospeak term, used to avoid writing the word "pedophile," and also appeared in various Name Soundalikes memes. For example, on January 13th, 2023, the X[4] gimmick account @namesoun posted a meme about YouTuber EDP445 that received over 2,200 reposts and 46,000 likes in two years (shown below).
![What Is a PDF File Format inkit.com https://www.inkit.com › blog › wha... What Is PDF File Format? Of PDFs & How To Edit - Ink th W f 9 e reading u've worked PDF file the past. But if now they PDF](https://a.kym-cdn.com/assets/blank-b3f96f160b75b1b49b426754ba188fe8.gif)
On May 5th, 2024, X[5] user @RaineyOvalle used the slang term in a post referencing a feud between rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake and the former calling the latter "certified pedophile" in his diss track "Not Like Us." The post (shown below) garnered over 10,000 reposts and 78,000 likes in three months.
![That man called you a sex-trafficking PDF File RAINEY @RaineyOvalle That man called you a sex-trafficking PDF File and your response is "I expected these claims" and "your wife doesn't follow you on IG” and “your manager leaves heart emojis under her pics" Man what the F--- are we TALKING ABOUT!!!!!!!!!!! 9:56 PM May 5, 2024 2.5M Views](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/002/881/548/b3b.jpg)
Various Examples
![What Is a PDF File and Why Is My Uncle Under Arrest for Being One What is a PDF File and why is my uncle under arrest for being one](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/002/881/541/e26.jpg)
![what is a pdf file and why did my uncle get arrested for being one F @wascockwater what is a pdf file and why did my uncle get arrested for being one 1:06 AM Aug 7, 2021](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/002/881/542/f54.jpg)
![Retweet if you're not a PDF File Hater Tier Vegito (War Arc) @HT_Vegito Retweet if you're not a PDF File I heard you're attracted to legal men and women. Good. 12:03 PM • Aug 7, 2024 378.3K Views](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/002/881/552/151.jpg)
![WHY DID THEY ARREST MY UNCLE FOR BEING A PDF FILE? WHY DID THEY ARREST MY UNCLE FOR BEING A PDF PDF FILE?](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/002/881/527/fd7.jpg)
![She said ‘do you want the PDF file?’ I said no, that’s his uncle. PANDYADAFE MME MINUTE Paddy Raff @paddyraffcomedy Just asked the woman in Waterstones if Prince Harry's book is available to download. She said 'do you want the PDF file?' I said no, that's his uncle. 11:12 AM · Jan 12, 2023 926.2K Views •](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/002/881/544/66b.jpg)
![gaga had to remove do what u want from every platform but nicki is fine releasing another song with a pdf file.. matt @itsgodgabitch gaga had to remove do what u want from every platform but nicki is fine releasing another song with a pdf file.. POP Pop Crave @PopCrave Jun 10, 2020 #6ix9ine & @NickiMinaj will release their new collaboration, #TROLLZ, on Friday, June 12th. 9:31 AM Jun 10, 2020 SIXNINE Autper](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/002/881/534/84f.jpg)
Search Interest
External References
[2] Reddit – Is he not showing the text correctly?
[3] Reddit – He likes to sing in A minor
[4] X – @nafridyas
[5] X – @RaineyOvalle
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