IIRC Meaning in Texts Explained: Use Cases and Examples

Understanding the new slang and abbreviations is the secret to communicating effectively in the ever-evolving social media world. Ever notice someone texts or posts “IIRC” and you’re just sitting there wondering, “What is that?” You’re not the only one. This article will explain what IIRC means in texts on social media comments on social networking sites like Instagram and Snapchat.

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What Does IIRC Mean?

“IIRC” stands for “If I Recall Correctly.” It’s one of those internet acronyms you’ll often see in forums, comment sections, or casual chats. It gives the reader a heads-up that the shared information isn’t guaranteed to be 100% accurate, but it’s what the person remembers at the time.

It is used when one is trying to remember something but is not sure they’ve got it. You will often use it before facts, dates, or historical facts, especially in situations where precision matters.

Some examples of IIRC in conversations include:

“IIRC, the sequel came out in 2019, not 2020.”
“IIRC, we had that science fair in March last year.”
“IIRC, that boss is weak to fire attacks.”
“IIRC, they announced the update last summer.”
“IIRC, this was mentioned in one of the earlier episodes.”

Why Do People Use IIRC?

There are a few common reasons why someone might use “IIRC” in a message:

Sound less certain or more polite – Instead of coming across as overly confident, using “IIRC” shows they’re open to being wrong. It adds a bit of humility to what they’re saying.
Cover themselves in case of doubt – If they are unsure about something being a particular detail, recording it as “IIRC” prevents them from being corrected if it is later discovered to be wrong.
Save time and effort – It takes less time to type “IIRC” than to type “If I recall correctly,” particularly in informal conversations or instant replies.
Use an informal tone – In informal internet communication, individuals tend to use such shortcuts to maintain a casual, friendly tone.

Keep in Mind

Though “IIRC” may sound perfect for casual conversations, it’s not always the best option to use. It will be too casual in formal emails, for example, or in formal letters. Not everyone knows internet slang, so it will confuse some. So, it’s safer to use the whole sentence or use it if the spelling is appropriate to the tone and the audience.