# Is LMGTFY unacceptable snark?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lmgtfy-unacceptable-snark/520509>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [December 8, 2009, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lmgtfy-unacceptable-snark/520509 "2009-12-08T21:10:19Z")\
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**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lmgtfy-unacceptable-snark/520509/26 "2009-12-15T16:38:47Z")

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> [@Khadaji](#):
>
> IMO it is does cross the jerk line. If you don’t want to answer a question, just don’t.

As mentioned several times, LMGTFY _does_ answer the question.

I can see it being abused (not everyone knows how to use search terms efficiently), but sometimes I think it’s absolutely called for.

And while I don’t at all disagree with our cardinal rule of “don’t be a jerk,” I think it’s worth keeping in mind that our dear leader Cecil is a bit of a smartass, and that LMGTFY is pretty mild compared to some of his columns over the decades. And, quite frankly, if people put in the slightest bit of effort once in a while, perhaps Fighting Ignorance wouldn’t be Taking so Long.

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