IRL
From Encyclopedia Dramatica
Abbreviated form of "in real life", IRL refers to events occuring in the real world. Used as an antonym to online ("OL"). Useful part of Netspeak in that it looks and is pronounced similarly to IRC, of which it is nearly a direct parallel. Most people who use IRL without any sense of irony spend the entirety of their lives online, which must make them fictional. This is pathetic, at best.
Used ironically or sarcastically as part of Netspeak, IRL can be used to refer to any activity that can be done on IRC, or in the broader sense, online.
When online, one may often hear the phrase "I IS HOT GURL IRL". When this is heard, it should not be taken seriously, as they are most likely an anime fan, democrat, or attention whore.
Although Internet drama has been spotted on the Internets since Al Gore and the Renegade_master invented it in 1984, the real world has been filled with IRL drama for at least 100 years. And, just like OL drama spawned trolls, IRL drama has spawned the recreational activity of trolling IRL.
For a good example of IRL, simply refocus your eyes to take in that which lies slightly to the left and right, as well as above and below your shiny monitor box. The initial impression is clear: dark, shabby and lacking in emoticons. Why not just blow the whole fucking shitload up?
Fortunately, this idea has already been created and forwarded by one George W. Bush.
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[edit] Usage note
Some people try to use IRL as a synonym for "really", as in "I IRL hate her" or "I am IRL hungry", but this usage is widely discouraged for obvious reasons.
