A field guide to the way we talk now.Context over guesswork
My words
Menu +
USAGE COMPARISON · Online

10th dentist vs. tl dr

How they differ in meaning, register, and real conversations.

Quick answer: 10th dentist (informal) — 10th dentist: person who holds an unpopular opinion. Meanwhile, tl dr (informal) — tl dr: brief summary of an overly long text.

1. 10th dentist ↗

Category: Internet essentials
Register: informal
Regions: Online

10th dentist: person who holds an unpopular opinion.

When it fits: Choose this wording when the meaning above fits what you intend to say. Give the reader enough surrounding context to follow the example; if clarity matters more than the shorthand, use the plain-English wording instead.

When to avoid: Avoid assuming that a label reveals somebody’s motives or private behavior. If you are unsure how your words will be understood, explain the situation directly and ask a clarifying question rather than relying on the expression alone.

“During the heated debate, I called him a 10th dentist when he stubbornly defended his fringe theory despite overwhelming evidence.”
In plain English: During the heated debate, I called him a person who holds an unpopular opinion when he stubbornly defended his fringe theory despite overwhelming evidence.

2. tl dr ↗

Category: Internet essentials
Register: informal
Regions: Online

tl dr: brief summary of an overly long text.

When it fits: Choose this wording when the meaning above fits what you intend to say. Give the reader enough surrounding context to follow the example; if clarity matters more than the shorthand, use the plain-English wording instead.

When to avoid: Avoid assuming that a label reveals somebody’s motives or private behavior. If you are unsure how your words will be understood, explain the situation directly and ask a clarifying question rather than relying on the expression alone.

“I wrote a tl dr for the meeting agenda, so everyone could skim the key points quickly.”
In plain English: I wrote a brief summary of an overly long text for the meeting agenda, so everyone could skim the key points quickly.

Test both expressions in context

Quiz yourself on 10th dentist & tl dr ↗ Browse all slang comparisons →

ONE WORD, A LITTLE MORE CONTEXT.

Language moves. Stay in the conversation.

Follow new entries via RSS