Is "IMHO" a rude thing to say (or type)?

Question

The initialism¹ IMHO stands for "in my humble opinion". It's commonly used in text-based communication (chat clients, forums, popular Q&A platforms). Here's an example:

Person A: What do you think about implementing this new feature request?

Person B: The cost for that change outweighs the relatively minor benefit IMHO.

I feel that:

• On one hand, mentioning one's own humility seems a bit...ironic (or possibly even sarcastic), which is rude.
• On the other hand, it's possible that, for most people, this reads the same as "IMO" (in my opinion) - which sounds more neutral, and thus is not rude.

Is "IMHO" a rude thing to say (or type)? Why or why not?

I'd appreciate answers with facts, references, or significant personal experiences if possible (as opposed to just opinions), as I realize this is somewhat subjective.

_{1: I just learned this word today!}

Answer 1

I'd say that, unless other nearby content points to definite sarcasm, the phrase "in my humble opinion" should generally be taken as being sincere.

The definition of humble includes an example of the phrase as being "courteously respectful". There's a latin phrase, "ut humiliter opinor", which translates as "in my humble opinion", which would indicate that the phrase is quite old and has been used for a long time (though I haven't researched this, it could well be pseudo-Latin for all I know, like "non illegitimi carborundum" ;-) ).

The phrase is used in modern writing; for instance, there's a quote by Dumbledore in the Harry Potter books that goes something like “Words are, in my humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic.” (I suppose one could argue that Dumbledore has little to be humble about, but I'd certainly interpret this instance as being sincere.) It might be interesting if anyone knows of examples in "older" literature.

Having said that, in its abbreviated form, "IMHO" or "imho" as used in informal writing, emails, social media, etc., there may well be a higher percentage of sarcastic usage, but again I think this would largely depend on the context and one should assume sincerity unless there are other indicators of sarcasm.

I would suggest (though some may well disagree) that its usage in informal writing is quite similar to the phrase "my two cents", i.e. saying "here's my opinion, take it for what it's worth or feel free to ignore it". (Though this phrase always strikes me as being ironic because, in Australia, we round money to the nearest five cents, so two cents are essentially "worthless".)

Answer 2

There is no global answer; whether "IMHO" is sincere, rude, actually humble, or something else depends entirely on context. In your example an opinion was solicited, so I would take the response at face value. Other times it can be used in a more-forceful way, as in:

Person A: This new feature sounds interesting.

Person B: That feature would be the worst thing that could possibly happen to our product, our customers, and our bottom line. Only a moron would seriously suggest doing that! IMHO, of course.

I haven't researched this, but I remember seeing IMHO earlier than IMO, so it is possible that the "H" dropped out when people realized that it usually doesn't add anything. I have also seen IMNSHO ("not so") as a direct reaction to the "IMHO" formation. I saw all of these variations on Usenet in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Answer 3

There are subtle differeces between IMO and IMHO. IMO is simply a way of expressing an opinion. "This is what I think about the topic". IMHO normally has some sincerity in the humility: "This is what I think about the topic, but I am not an expert". It is often used also to mean "This is what I think, please don't flame me if you disagree".

IMNSHO - or even, as I have seen it, IMNAAHO (not at all), is more often used sarcastically, implying "This is what I think about it, so like it or sod off" - probably ruder than the other versions.

Of course, the circles I move in virtually may be more refined than others. Some people - especially but not exclusively the young - ignore the subtlety of the differences.

Answer 4

Rolling Stone had no problem with the venerable Peter Travers using IMHO in his summary when he named The Social Network the best movie of 2010:

What director David Fincher and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin are doing in this movie, which IMHO surpasses all other movies this year, is using Facebook to hold up a mirror to the way we live now.

The Macmillan Dictionary's definition says:

IMHO, abbr : in my humble opinion: used, often humorously, in e-mails and text messages for giving your opinion

Nothing wrong with a little humor, IMHO.

Answer 5

Depends on context

IMHO can be used to indicate self-deprecation either sincerely (rarely) or as a combination of sincerity and a joke - for example, an expert on music saying 'IMHO' in reference to a judgement on a musical matter to an audience of non-experts. Since he is clearly an expert, it is amusing that his opinion is humble - it's self-deprecating humour, but also is an attempt to indicate a lack of pride or arrogance, to show humility, and to include the audience.

As such, it is or was a commonly used element of rhetoric, often in written publication.

It's dropped in usage in a professional context, but made the jump to the internet.

In a non-professional context, it's used less expertly to defer responsibility for a statement. i.e. 'IMHO, blah is a bad band, but feel free to disagree'. It removes the possibility of an argument while still allowing the user to express their opinion. Often it is used in situations where the user feels there may be some tension or possibility of an argument - sometimes it is used to paint the user in a good light in a disagreement, as if they are being humble and the person they are disagreeing with isn't, then that person is in the wrong.

In some online communities, 'IMHO' is treated as a red flag for this exact reason.

It's mostly common in older users - i've never seen someone below the age of 25 use it, and it's considered nonpolite or arrogant to use 'IMHO' or 'IMO' in groups of younger people I speak with.

This is largely the Australian and American usages that i've seen - I can't really speak for other English speaking areas as I don't read enough publications or interact with enough native speakers.

Answer 6

In My Humble Opinion is a gracious, not rude, way of adding a caveat to an opinion. Like upspeak, it implies that there may be more than one way of seeing the facts just commented on. Just imagine the writer making a curtsy or a bow with the flourish of a feathered hat, and you will be able to visualize the gesture.

Answer 7

IMHO (and similar abbreviations) is in common use with people now at or under the age of 30. If this is your "audience," I see no problem with using it.

The problem arises if your audience is my age (early 50s) or older. Then the use of such abbreviations is likely to confuse people. So if you are addressing people mostly your parents' age, it's probably best not to use them.

(The 40s is a transition group, some of them are "hip" to this terminology and some aren't.)

Answer 8

I've only ever seen this used in written form by twenty-somethings in a MMORPG, and haven't ever experienced it being used in an obnoxious or arrogant way.

Can't say I've ever heard anyone use it verbally; I expect it would seem somewhat silly.

Answer 9

IMHO is now so strongly associated with people who are presenting their opinion in an anything-but-humble way that it no longer has it's literal meaning. It's general use is by people who are not being in the slightest humble, but think that adding IMHO will make them seem less arrogant.

If your intention is to appear humble, do not use this phrase.