When you're messaging someone,John Caldwell you don't want to overload them with information. Sometimes, sending a lengthy paragraph can feel like too much. You also may want to avoid the dreaded "double text," or in some cases, triple or quadruple text.

This is where slang and abbreviations come in to help. There is a whole library of examples at your fingertips – from "ily" and "rizz" to "OP" and "fwiw."

"ICYMI", USA TODAY has been breaking down text slang. Now, it's time to learn a new one. Here is the meaning and how to use "fyi."

What does 'fyi' mean?

"FYI" stands for "for your information." When used, the term notifies others about something that is important or significant.

The abbreviation can be used in both formal and informal messaging, such as via email to relay a deadline at work or while texting a friend about some interesting gossip.

The usage of "FYI" can be traced back to the 1930s when it was used by journalists to denote that the messages – or parts of the messages – they sent were for the recipient only, not for public viewing, according to Grammarly.

How to use 'fyi'

Here are some examples of how to use "fyi": 

• "fyi: the dinner was moved to 7:30."
• "The final project is due on Thursday fyi."
• "Just fyi, the appointment was cancelled and can't be rescheduled for two weeks."

Just Curious for more? We've got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "Who has the most Grammys?" to "What is the biggest star in the universe?" to "Where do tigers live?", we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.

Want to learn? Catch up on more text slang explainers: 

• What does 'ily' mean? Show your loved ones you care with this text abbreviation
• Looking for slang explainers? Just 'lmk': Here's what the term means
• Ending a convo over text? Here's what 'TTYL' means and how to use it
• What does 'gts' mean? Definition of text term and how to use it
• What does 'no cap' mean? Here's the definition of the slang term and how to use it
• What does 'WYLL' mean? Here's what the text slang stands for and how to use it
• What does 'rizz' mean? Here's the definition of social media slang term and how to use it
• What does 'WTV' mean? The definition of the texting abbreviation, plus how to use it
• What does 'MBN' mean? Here's what it means and how to use for texts, social media
• What does 'IMO' mean? Make sure you're using this internet, texting acronym correctly
• What does 'tbh' mean? Here's what the acronym means and how to use it in conversation
• What does 'wyd' mean? What it means and how to use the acronym correctly in conversation
• What does 'AFK' mean? And examples of how to use it when texting friends
• What does 'OTP' mean? Breaking down the fandom term, slang
• What does 'fwiw' mean? The acronym's definition and how to use it in your conversations
• What does 'smh' mean? Defining the texting acronym and how to use it in your conversations
• What does 'ICYMI' mean? Here's what it means and examples of it used in conversation
• What does 'ngl' mean? Make sure you're using this internet, texting acronym correctly
• What does 'hmu' mean? Get to know Internet, texting acronym
• What does 'tbh' mean? Here's what the acronym means and how to use it in conversation
• What does 'POV' mean? Breaking down the definition of the abbreviation
• What does 'idk' mean? What the texting slang means and how to use in conversation
• What does 'mid' mean? Here's what the internet slang term means and how to use it
• What does 'OG' mean? Here is what the slang means and how to use it correctly