IRL
Not through screens
IRL is internet shorthand for "in real life," distinguishing physical-world experiences from online or virtual ones: We'd been chatting for months before we finally met IRL.
The term emerged from early internet culture, where the boundary between digital and physical spaces needed marking.
It now appears in casual speech and texting beyond its origins: She's funnier IRL than in her posts. (Lowercase irl is sometimes seen in very casual usage.)
Direct personal encounter
- in-personActually there, bodily
- tangiblePerceptible by touch
- offlineNot internet-connected
- meetupInformal planned gathering
meatspace · physical · corporeal · embodied · presence · handshake · gathering · hangout
Truly what it claims
- unfilteredNot passed through screen
- rawIn original state
- honestFree from deception
- sincereGenuinely felt, not feigned
true · actual · candid · transparent · unedited · spontaneous · natural · vulnerable
Internet amusement abbreviation
Existing in effect, not fact
- onlineNetwork-connected state
- digitalOf discrete data
- cyberspaceVirtual electronic network environment
- avatarDigital user representation
screen · metaverse · simulation · VR · gaming · social media · streaming · remote
Steady continuous flow
- vlogRecorded online journal
- influencerPerson with promotional reach
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
- meet-and-greetScheduled public introduction
parasocial · subscriber · viewer · chat · panel · signing · expo · fandom
face-to-face
Direct personal encounter
meetup · meatspace · physical · corporeal · embodied · presence · handshake · gathering · hangout · unmediated
genuine
Truly what it claims
- unfilteredNot passed through screen
- rawIn original state
- honestFree from deception
sincere · true · actual · candid · transparent · unedited · spontaneous · natural · vulnerable · human
LOL
Internet amusement abbreviation
IMO · NSFW · DM · FOMO · SMH · NVM · FTW · GOAT · TL;DR · ICYMI
virtual
Existing in effect, not fact
- onlineNetwork-connected state
- digitalOf discrete data
- cyberspaceVirtual electronic network environment
avatar · screen · metaverse · simulation · VR · gaming · social media · streaming · remote · telecommuting
stream
Steady continuous flow
- vlogRecorded online journal
- influencerPerson with promotional reach
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
meet-and-greet · parasocial · subscriber · viewer · chat · panel · signing · expo · fandom · creator
IRLonline
Network-connected state
virtual · digital · in-game · on the internet · virtually
IRLfake
Not the real thing
curated · filtered · catfishing · performative · staged