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I was reading a public forum, and I saw the following abbreviations:

  • IMO
  • IMHO
  • IHOP

As far as I see, these are interchangeable somehow, but I don't understand the correct usage of them. Just assuming the

IMO

Probably stands for "In my Opinion",

and the extra 'H' letter stands for the Honest (or other references says: Humble).

I don't understand with the extra "H" does it sarcastic or even rude to say?

For the last one, I have absolutely no clue. I've tried to google it, and I ended up with: enter image description here

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After all, I don't know how to use these abbreviations. Plus, is it common in the spoken language as a slang?

Edited with an example of the last one

Person 1: Hey you wanna go out later tonight?

Person 2: IHOP

Person 1: Damn, maybe next time

I appreciate every answer!

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    The first two are correct, but I'm not sure I have ever seen IHOP used as an internet acronym. Do you have any examples of it being used in a sentence?
    – mike
    Jan 10, 2017 at 15:40
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    Yes, I have. I'm gonna edit the post above.
    – Bálint Pap
    Jan 10, 2017 at 15:43
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    I have never seen IHOP used as an internet acronym except to mean "International House of Pancakes", in which case it has nothing to do with the first two.
    – stangdon
    Jan 10, 2017 at 15:50
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    I upvoted exclusively because IHOP made me laugh so much
    – G-Cam
    Jan 10, 2017 at 18:47
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    Ah, but perhaps Person2 already had plans to eat at IHOP, or regularly eats there, and Person1 hates eating there, and Person2 is aware of this so they didn't need to say anything else afterward.
    – M Conrad
    Jan 11, 2017 at 4:32

3 Answers 3

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  • IMO - in my opinion
  • IMHO - in my honest/humble opinion

Both of these are very well known internet acronyms, and have been used for many years.

Both expressions are more or less interchangeable, and in my humble opinion is not by itself sarcastic - it should be taken as being genuine sign of humility, unless something else in the sentence indicates otherwise. Its sincerity depends entirely on context. For example:

IMHO, I think that the MacBook pro is overpriced.

IMHO, you're an idiot.

...are worlds apart in their sincerity.

Based on the context of the conversation you provided, I am guessing that IHOP stands for I Have Other Plans, and is not a commonly used acronym from what I can see.

[edit] Apparently the Urban Dictionary agrees with the meaning of IHOP, and oddly, uses the same example that the OP provided.

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    To my ear there's no difference between the two. Neither is usually rude; they're typically earnest expressions of opinion which communicate understanding that others may disagree. Of course this can be eclipsed when the opinion expressed (e.g. "you're an idiot") is rude pe se.
    – Alpha Draconis
    Jan 10, 2017 at 16:17
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    Some points about their usage: IMO and IMHO are typically spelled out (i.e. "eye-em-oh"), while IHOP is just pronounced "eye-hop". Also, since IMO__/__IMHO are internet acronyms, in formal written English and any spoken context, one would typically use the full phrase instead.
    – Harrison Paine
    Jan 10, 2017 at 19:19
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    Historically, on newsgroups, IMO meant "I'm phrasing this as an opinion, but I'm pretty sure it's right", while IMHO meant "I'm not sure, here's what I think".
    – isanae
    Jan 10, 2017 at 22:50
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    I've also seen IMNSHO. internetslang.com/IMNSHO-meaning-definition.asp
    – verbose
    Jan 11, 2017 at 9:08
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    @verbose And IMNSHO highlights the fact that the H is usually "humble" not "honest", since it's used for "in my not so humble opinion". Saying "in my not so honest opinion" is possible, but it's not likely, and feels awkward.
    – Joshua Taylor
    Jan 11, 2017 at 15:11
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I Hate Old People

I Hate Other People

I.H.O.P. a hard hit in football. referring to the common slang of pancake for the same meaning

IHOP (International House of Prayer) IHOP

iHOP Information Hyperlinked Over Proteins

IHOP International House of Pain (slang for sports conditioning)

IHOP Internal Heat or Pressure

IHOP International Health Opportunities Program

You would have to know the context to understand the acronym.

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    I thought it has similar meaning like the first two abbreviations, but instead of that it has plenty of different meaning! Thank you for the list!
    – Bálint Pap
    Jan 10, 2017 at 16:31
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    I just ask because I completely get all these things wrong. I often google them, and try to see if something fits.
    – WRX
    Jan 10, 2017 at 16:33
  • Indeed, for every acronym one may find many fitting interpretations, depending on context (and on the reader's wit and amusement). And the same goes for words!
    – Olivier Dulac
    Jan 11, 2017 at 12:25
  • IHOP >> I Have Other Plans. If you read the text exchange between the two people, it is pretty obvious what was meant.
    – Mario Levesque
    Jan 11, 2017 at 21:13
  • @levteck That had already been in an answer, so I did not repeat it. Am I meant to? I try not to say what others have said first and perfectly well. I am still new here. Seriously, am I meant to repeat other people's points?
    – WRX
    Jan 11, 2017 at 21:32
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This one is very easy. IHOP - I have other plans

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  • While this might be correct, it just repeats what has already been said in other answers with no explanation.
    – ColleenV
    Jan 11, 2017 at 21:44
  • @ColleenV, sorry, but what is there to explain? He just asked what the meaning was and I answered.
    – Alonso Jr
    Jan 19, 2017 at 0:22
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    See this discussion on meta - Submitting Answers that merely answer the question. If this were the only answer that said "I have other plans" was what IHOP meant, it might view it a little differently, but it doesn't add anything to what is already here. The last two paragraphs of Mike's answer is a good example of adding an explanation to a simple answer.
    – ColleenV
    Jan 19, 2017 at 0:29

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