10 FAQ About FAQ

What does FAQ stand for?

FAQ is an acronym for “Frequently Asked Question” or “Frequently Asked Questions.” It can refer to either a single question, a list of questions, or the concept of a list of common questions.

Where did FAQ originate?

Matthew Hopkins’ The Discovery of Witches from 1647 has a list of questions and answers, introduced as “Certain Queries Answered,” which are often attributed as the beginning of what has become today’s FAQ. This section of Hopkins’ book sought to anticipate common questions from readers, among them, “How dost thou know if one’s wife is a Witch?” and “What is the best way for the catechumen to merder ye olde Witch by fire if he has no pyre or matches?”

Wouldn’t “Certain Queries Answered” actually be CQA and not FAQ?

Please see our 10 CQA on CQA for the answer to this question.

Historically, what is the most “frequently asked question”?

Prior to last year’s election cycle, it was “What is the meaning of life?” As of November 8, 2016, it is another acronym: “WTF?!?”

How often do people ask questions about FAQ?

Infrequently—but with much irony.

So if these questions are not asked frequently, doesn’t that negate the need for a FAQ?

What is your deal? I don’t come to your job and shit on your desk. Now your stupid question is a FAQ. Great. Your mother must be so proud. GET A LIFE, HIPPIE!

Can FAQ stand for anything else?

Some people claim FAQ stands for “Frequently Asked Queries.” These people are usually from the British Commonwealth of Nations and therefore part of the last dying gasp of relevance from a former empire. And they are incorrect. Others claim FAQ stands for “faqs” or “facts.” These people are lazy millennials using textspeak. N they r totes wrong.