The acronym NSFW is used at the start of articles, videos, or emails. You may have received a link to some kind of video with the caption ‘NSFW’. No need to get confused, just read below to find out the meaning of NSFW.

What Does NSFW Mean?

The actual meaning of NSFW is ‘Not safe for work’, referred to anything which is not appropriate for office or professional environments. This acronym is actually a caution to not open a video, picture, or link in office premises as it might trigger your higher authorities or Boss. The word can either be used in reference for violent content, or content or images which is too dirty to view in a professional environment. The word ‘NSFW’ is also used when some content is based on political slogans that might hurt the religious sentiments of people present in a professional environment.

Even though the word means ‘Not safe for work’, still it can be used to warn someone to not view the content in sensitive areas such as in front of kids, teachers, or in a religious ceremony. The acronym is usually present in the text message with the link or image as a warning. It may also be present in the title of the video, image, recording, or a link that directs you to any website. It is even available on news articles sometimes, to alert you that the content or news might make you uncomfortable or give you thoughts that you would regret opening the file later on.

Nowadays when people share content on social media, they also type a caption saying ‘NSFW’. This helps to ensure that the video available on social media is not suitable to be clicked when there are people around you, as a warning to save you from any kind of awkwardness and embarrassment later on.

In a retrospect, NSFW is mentioned when:

The content is sensitive to political or religious sentiments

The file is based on pornographic material

The material is not appropriate for kids

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How to Use NSFW the Right Way?

NSFW is mostly used in text messages or as the captions for social media posts. To use NSFW perfectly, you need to make sure

Example #1

Someone: I had such a shocking experience today. I’m super stressed out about it

You: What happened? Please tell me if everything is fine

Someone: Yes, sending you a video of a thief molesting a woman. You’ll be shocked at what people do to fulfill their agenda. NSFW

You: Ok, I won’t view it right now. I’ll open it when I go home.

In this example, the content was highly sensitive as a thief was molesting a woman. The content was not right to view at the workplace, so someone warned you to not open it and view it at home. Even though the video was shocking and very disturbing according to him, he still asked you to wait for the right time so that you would not offend any woman in your workplace

Example #2

Someone: So I just heard the podcast of Jimmy Jones. It was hilarious. I’m cracking up

You: OMG send me the link. I’m free right now but at work.

Someone: Man, it’s totally NSFW. Remind me to send it to you when you get home.

You: Thanks for the warning. Can’t wait

In this particular example, the content of the podcast might be hilarious, but somehow is wasn’t appropriate to be played or heard in a work environment. It is possible that the jokes might be too dirty, or the content is offensive to any race or religion. However, the word NSFW was used as a caution to not play the podcast at work.

Example #3

Someone: I’m literally watching our dance video and I spotted some hardcore action at the corner of the video

You: Wait, send it to me. Who is it?

Someone: It’s your cousin Lisa. Man, it’s absolutely NSFW. Don’t watch it on your computer at work. I don’t know what she was thinking

You: LOL I’m shocked. Is it that bad?

Someone: Let’s say that I’m glad I was at home when I watched this.

This example also focuses on second-hand embarrassment for the viewer, as the person of interest in the video was your cousin, Lisa.

As you can see, using NSFW in online conversations is not at all difficult. With some practice, you’ll easily start understanding how to use it right.