What Does YMMV Mean and How Do I Use It?
What does the internal slang “YMMV” mean? Actually, a lot of things including the following terms.
Our continuing look at internet slang and abbreviations has brought us to “YMMV.” First sighted in the 1970s, the term’s meaning has changed often. Here’s a look at YMMV and how to use it.
What is YMMV?
The Urban Dictionary contends YMMV stands for “your mileage may vary” and is based on the small print included in some automobile ads at the time. These types of ads continued into the 1980s. Since then, the term has gotten a new lease on life on social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and communication tools like email and texting. The Cambridge Dictionary contains on those platforms, YMMV has largely morphed into meaning that “you understand people may have a different opinion or experience than you.”
In addition to social media, you might also see the term on buyer’s guides and reviews. In this case, the reviewer wants readers to understand their experience with a product or service could differ.
- The vacation home suited our needs, but YMMV.
- YMMV, but we enjoy the show and the actors.
YMMV is similar to another slang term, “AFAIF,” which means “as for as I know.” There are other meanings to the term, including:
- You Make Me Vomit
- Your Monkey May Vote
- Your Method May Vary
- Yam Mild Mosaic Virus (virology)
- Yikes! My Moneys Vags
- Young Men’s Macho Vehicle
- Your Market May Vary (advertisements)
- Your Managers Mood Varies
Here are some recent examples of the slang being used on Twitter:
To bring it home, I spent $875 to purchase the points and $95 for the annual credit card membership fee. Total cost for the hotel room for five days: $970!!
$5665 – 970 = $4695 saved thanks to @thepointsguy. Exact same beautiful hotel room at a fraction of the cost. YMMV pic.twitter.com/vl1xzBOg61
— April (@ReignOfApril) July 4, 2021
YMMV, but I found I was a lot happier once I stopped worrying about whether my (permanent) contract was for 9 vs 12 months and just asked myself if I was happy with the salary.
— Meghan Roberts (@MeghanKRoberts) July 9, 2021
I just scored one at a GameStop in Los Angeles. The manager said it was a price mistake that was corrected by the afternoon. He almost didn’t give it to me at that price until I offered to renew my Pro membership so this is very much a YMMV situation. Thanks Wario! pic.twitter.com/06PHjObmcs
— Anthony Gilmartin (He/Him) (@AnthsGilms) July 11, 2021
Odds and Ends
Terms that relate to the word mileage aren’t surprising. These include “QRH” (“Does my frequency vary?”), HMV (“High Mileage Vehicle”), “SMV” (“Super Mileage Vehicle”), and “MMV,” or “Mileage May Vary.”
Other internet terms and slang we’ve covered in recent weeks include MEME, Noob, GR8, and others. Keep checking back with us to learn more about what these memes and other types of slang you pick up on mean.
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