Has someone in your contacts been attaching "ofc" to all their messages? Read on to learn what this popular internet abbreviation means.
Of Course!
OFC is an abbreviated internet acronym for "of course." It's used in online chats as a shorthand when you don't want to type the entire phrase. You can also use OFC in tweets, Youtube comments, or other social media posts. You can write this abbreviation in both lowercase and uppercase; however, the lowercase "ofc" is significantly more common in text messages.
OFC is often used to reiterate that something is obviously true. For example, if someone asks you if you prefer the mountains or the beach, you might respond with, "The beach, ofc" if you're a lifelong surfer. You can also use OFC to show that you have a definite opinion about something. For example, someone might ask you if you enjoy pineapples on pizza. If you hate pineapples on pizza, you might say, "Ofc fruit does not belong on pizza."
The meaning of OFC can change depending on where it's placed in a sentence. If you use "ofc" at the start of a sentence, it's often something positive and definite. When added to the end of a sentence, OFC takes on a slightly more sarcastic or condescending tone. We'll explain the various uses of this abbreviation in more depth later.
The History of OFC
OFC is one of the older internet slang terms that we've come across. The first definition for ofc on the web slang repository Urban Dictionary was created in June 2004 and reads "used in instant messaging to represent of course." However, it was likely in widespread use before 2004 in early internet communication channels, such as IRC and bulletin boards.
With the rise of instant messaging and chatting apps, OFC became even more ubiquitous in internet culture. It's handy in text threads, where people want to compose and send messages as quickly as possible. OFC is similar to other slang terms such as SRSLY and W/E, both abbreviations of popular words.
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A Definite Yes
As we said earlier, "ofc" can have different meanings depending on where it's placed in a sentence. When used at the start of a sentence, it's usually positive assurance. For example, if you want to reiterate to your roommate that you're going to clean the apartment, you might message them, "Ofc I'm going to clean up this weekend!"
You can use it to communicate that something definitely applies to you. If your friend texts you, "Are you coming to my birthday party this weekend?" you might respond with "Ofc I'm going!" Sending a message with just "ofc" can also work as a positive reply to someone's question. For example, your friend messages you, "Are you sure about letting me borrow your book?" In response, you might say "ofc!" to let them know that you're confident about your decision.
"Yeah, Obviously"
When used at the end of a sentence, "ofc" becomes more snarky. When used in this way, "ofc" is synonymous with "obviously." For example, you ask someone if they have seen a viral movie trailer. If they feel that the answer to the question is obvious, they might say, "Yeah, ofc."
In recent years, an alternative definition to OFC has emerged. Instead of meaning "of course," it can also mean "Of Freaking Course" or "Of F****** Course." The expletive in the middle makes the term more rudely dismissive and tells the other person that you're irritated at the question.
However, someone's tone is tough to communicate through text. Before you assume that someone is being deliberately snarky, make sure to ask them first!
How to Use OFC
Before you start using "OFC" in your texts to make typing faster, take note that this is an informal slang term. Don't use it in professional situations or official correspondence. For the most part, you should use this acronym in lowercase when you're texting.
Here are a few examples of OFC in action:
- "I'm going to get a haircut, ofc."
- "Ofc it's fine! You can borrow my tripod whenever you need it."
- "Ofc we're going to Thanksgiving! We'll see you soon!"
- "Windows is better than macOS, ofc."
If you want to learn about other internet slang terms, check out our guides on MFW, WBK, and TBH. You'll be an expert at web speak before you know it.