You might have seen “LFG” pop up in many messages and tweets lately. You might have wondered what that is about. In this article, I will help you learn all the meanings of this acronym that is becoming increasingly common on the internet.
Looking for a group
LFG’s most common and frequently used definition is “looking for a group.” Most people on the internet use this acronym to search for team-ups in online multiplayer games. For example, say you are in the middle of playing a massively multiplayer online game (MMO), a player around you might text “LFG level 60+” to indicate that they would like to team up with other players that are at level 60 and above. However, the term “LFG” has since spread to people searching for non-gaming groups.
LFG’s more reasonably standard definition is “let’s fucking go” or “let’s freaking go.” People on the internet will post this acronym on social media or direct messages to inspire or help motivate others. For example, your friend might text, “You are going to nail that business proposal! LFG!” That particular message style is to cheer you on in a nerve-wracking endeavor.
To determine which definition is used in a particular sentence, you have to watch out for contextual clues. For example, when “LFG” means “looking for a group,” people will usually follow it with the type of group they are looking for, or they might mention some criteria. On the other hand, when it is used to signify “let’s freaking go,” it will usually have some other motivational message accompanying it, or the message will end with an exclamation mark.
A brief look at the origins of LFG
The earliest definition of LFG on the internet slang repository Urban Dictionary can be dated back to 2002; it reads, “Looking for group.” The entry also references EverQuest, widely considered the first successful MMO. According to this, LFG has been used for at least several years because EverQuest was launched in 1999. Players generally used to type “LFG” in chat when looking for guilds or groups to perform quests with.
Somewhere in the deep corners of gaming, a secondary definition for LFG has emerged: “looking for a girlfriend.” This particular meaning also appeared in the MMO community as a humorous way to look for partners while playing online games. Many MMOs had weddings and marriage systems, so players essentially used LFG to parody the real meaning of “looking for a group.”
On the other hand, the first entry for LFG that signifies “let’s freaking go” was in 2010. The acronym came into existence in texts across college campuses as part of the partying culture. It later spread to the broader internet, gaining use in conversations as well as other pockets of the web. Later, it became the unofficial motto of the US women’s national soccer team, which went on to win the 2019 FIFA World Cup.
LFG, as “let’s freaking go,” has become widespread in texts among friends to “hype up” one another. For example, say you and your friends are about to go on a trip together, and they might send a message that reads, “It’s going to be a great vacation! LFG!” In the cryptocurrency community, getting people excited about sudden price increases has also become common.
Games, Guilds, and Groups
LFG is still widely used in all kinds of online gaming communities. If you are part of an active Discord server for a multiplayer title, for example, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, or even Apex Legends, you will be able to notice heaps of people posting an “LFG” to look for groups of other users to join the team and play with. Depending on which game, playing with other players has many benefits, such as more effective coordination against other teams and the opportunity to complete challenging levels.
LFG has gained widespread use in enthusiast communities for fantasy as well as science-fiction worlds. One of the largest spaces on the internet that uses the “LFG” acronym is the r/LFG subreddit, a community for people who play tabletop games, for example, Dungeons & Dragons. Because these games often involve specific-sized groups, gamemasters or GMs will post an “LFG” to find players who can join.
You can see LFG on many social media websites, including Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit. For example, someone who happens to be looking for a group of people to do morning yoga with might tweet something like, “LFG: Morning yoga, 5 am.” Say you are a student searching for a group to have a study session with. You can post on your Instagram Story, “LFG to study with!”
How can you use LFG?
If you wish to use LFG to say “let’s freaking go,” do not forget that this is an informal slang term. It is advised that you use it for personal conversations with your friends.
Given below are a few examples of LFG signifying “let’s freaking go”:
“I know you will crush the English test. LFG! “
Let’s win this game tonight for ourselves, LFG!”
“LFG guys! This trip is about to be amazing! “
On the other hand, if you wish to use LFG to say “looking for a group,” use it when you are looking for a group of people to do an activity with.
Given below are some examples of “looking for a group” as LFG:
“LFG: A book club for horror novels!”
“LFG: Level 85 character, for the XYZ Game.”
“LFG: Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Anyone can join the campaign.”
“LFG: Valorous players Gold and above.”
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