What Does “IOW” Mean, and How Do You Use It?


Close up of a dictionary definition of the phrase "in other words"
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Is your sentence as well jargon-large and difficult to fully grasp? A person may possibly explain to you to check out placing it “IOW.” Here’s what this acronym means how to use it to simplify your language.

In Other Terms

IOW is the shortened model of “in other words.” In literal terms, it signifies to specific some thing differently. An instance of this would be, “My serotonin amounts have risen considerably. IOW, I’m happy about this.”

IOW is typically utilised to you paraphrase a thing in additional clear-cut terms to make guaranteed everybody understands it. For example, if you’re a computer system technician detailing a damaged Computer system to an individual, you might say, “Your computer’s boot generate unsuccessful, and all your data files had been corrupted. IOW, it is wholly damaged.”

IOC can also be utilized when you’re striving to express a assumed in a distinctive way that may offer a unique standpoint. For case in point, you may possibly say, “I assume rental price ranges are fairly cheap proper now. IOW, we should maintain off on purchasing a home.” In this particular sentence, IOW was used to introduce the conclusion and to reframe that details in different ways.

You can use the acronym in each the uppercase IOW and lowercase iow. Folks rarely communicate it out loud. Instead, they say the overall phrase “in other words” when introducing their rephrased statements.

The History of IOW

The phrase “in other words” has been applied for a pretty very long time in both literary is effective and speech. Just one of the most well known musical specifications of all time, “Fly Me to the Moon,” utilizes “in other words” lots of periods in its lyrics.

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Its initialism variation has been about considering the fact that at minimum 2004, which is when its to start with entry on Urban Dictionary was designed. On the other hand, it’s probably that it was all-around earlier than that. Lots of shortened world wide web slang phrases ended up invented by chatroom and concept board people in the 1990s to make communication more quickly.

IOW gained broader use in the 2010s, mainly since of the founding of online spaces for dialogue on different topics, like Reddit. In these communities, describing matters that are unfamiliar to newbies is rather widespread. IOW is a handy device to introduce complicated procedures to rookies without having automatically alienating the professional people, as you’d continue to keep the a lot more challenging clarification.

Making Points Easier

What kinds of content material do men and women ordinarily check out to simplify? One popular problem is when you are a issue make any difference specialist on one thing, but you want to make clear it to a wide viewers. This is frequent in the tech room. For lots of, speak about processing power and computing models can get way too complicated—so a site that clarifies tech ideas to anyone is putting this tech jargon “IOW.”

Yet another is when you are trying to make an argument or providing your point of view. “IOW” gets to be synonymous with “in summary.” Because you’ve introduced up numerous details and items of evidence, you want to stop with a simple, straightforward explanation of your argument. Acquiring an IOW minute can everything you just said even far more strong.

And lastly, IOW is useful when you are seeking to simplify a imprecise assumed you just shared. If you locate by yourself rambling and the things you’re indicating never appear to be to make perception, you can use IOW to make clear your views.

How to Use IOW

To use IOW, substitute the acronym when you’d normally say “in other terms.” Use it when you’re attempting to simplify an overly difficult piece of facts so you can share it with others. You can also use it to punctuate a position that you are making or giving one more perspective on a condition.

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Below are a several means you can use IOW in your posts and messages:

  • “I procured pre-packaged dihydrogen monoxide. IOW, I bought some bottled h2o.”
  • “There was no concrete evidence that proved she did it. IOW, I assume she’s innocent.”
  • “There are no text to describe how unhappy in your actions I am. IOW, I’m mad at you.”

Do you want to explore much more typical internet slang text? Examine out our pieces on TMI, DW, and GTG.

Associated: What Does “DW” Imply, and How Do You Use It?

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