too much information

Etymology

The expression was first shortened to "TMI" by former Wall Street Journal reporter Joseph Checkler circa 1988. It was not until the late 1990s however, that the term was popularized by online communities. See also TMI.

Pronunciation

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Interjection

too much information

1. (informal) An expression indicating that someone has revealed information that is too personal and made the listener or reader uncomfortable.

   Synonym: TMI

   Too much information! I don't want to hear the details of your surgery.

2. (informal, Internet slang) Introduces an expansion of a short answer with additional information that may be "more than you ever wanted to know". It is a hint that the following information can be ignored if the short answer was sufficient.

See also