RTFM /RTFM/ , imp. [Unix] Abbreviation for Read The Fucking Manual. 1. Used by gurus to brush off questions they consider trivial or annoying. Compare Don't do that then!. 2. Used when reporting a problem to indicate that you aren't just asking out of randomness. No, I can't figure out how to interface Unix to my toaster, and yes, I have RTFM. Unlike sense 1, this use is considered polite. See also FM , RTFAQ , RTFB , RTFS , STFW , RTM , all of which mutated from RTFM, and compare UTSL.