Have you seen the term ‘TMI’ on social media or other platforms? Well, there is no surprise in the fact that TMI is a widespread abbreviation that is used by people on social media as well as in their daily lives. This term has engraved itself very deeply in the vocabulary of the current generation which is why you should also be familiar with its meaning and where it is used.
Understanding the Concept of TMI
In simple terms, TMI means ‘Too much information’. Now, the question arises why is any information considered too much? You need to know that this term is used by people when they want to know something about a person that they usually do not share with others. Along with this, the term can also be used as a response to people who have a habit of divulging too much personal information to others.
The current generation has a habit of sharing everything on social media irrespective of the fact that it is needed or not and in this situation, it is common for others to use the acronym ‘TMI’ to tell the other person that whatever information they have shared is not appropriate and should not be shared with others.
For example, if someone mentions that the baby’s poop is green or some other color, you can very well respond with TMI as this information was not necessarily required.
Discovering the Origin of TMI
While the term is highly popular in the current times, the same cannot be said for every period. You will be surprised to know that the term was coined by a reporter Joseph Checkler somewhere around 1988 but it gained popularity in the late 1990s.
With the rise of the internet, more and more people started using this acronym and now, it has turned into an actual word that is very commonly used in conversations and chats by people whether they are young or old.
When is a Piece of Information Considered TMI?
Apart from TMI meaning, you should know that it can also be subjective as certain people do share more than others and are equally interested in knowing about others. However, there are basic situations that are usually considered TMI by everyone.
- The Relationship: Sharing close and intimate details of your relationship with your best friend is generally acceptable, but you cannot do the same with people who are only casual acquaintances.
- The Setting: Any information can also be considered TMI if you are sharing graphic medical details in a casual setting. You can discuss such things with your doctor but, apart from that, it is not appreciated by many people.
- Cultural Norms: There are also many cultural norms across different cultures that can fall under the general list of TMI which is why you need to be careful about the information that you are sharing with the general public.
It is important for people to understand the concept of TMI to make sure that their relationships are healthy and respectful. This allows people to have comfortable and enjoyable social interactions without any awkwardness.
Source: Radarro.com
