What does "Google-fu" mean?

Question

Exact Duplicate:
Can anyone tell me what the suffix “-fu” stands for in the following sentence?

I was reading an article on MSDN where I found a mention to google-fu. It says, “To search for C++ delimeters and code snippets is going to take a little Google-fu on the reader's part.” what does google-fu mean?

MSDN could have done better by saying Pro Google search skills instead of referencing the ancient martial arts in this context and saying google-fu. — DL Narasimhan, Dec 08 '16 at 13:23
Think of this statement "I am google-fuing C++ delimiters and code snippets" — DL Narasimhan, Dec 08 '16 at 13:23

score 47 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

47

Google-fu is defined as "skill in using search engines (especially Google) to quickly find useful information on the Internet."

It is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek reference to kung-fu, which is generally perceived as requiring a high degree of skill to master in the western hemisphere.

In the example sentence you provided, the author is suggesting that the expected results are somewhat difficult to attain and you will need to use diligence when searching.

I used a bit of Google-fu to research this answer.

edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

Community

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answered Apr 07 '11 at 19:00

HaL

8,876

thank you for answer. so i can replace with "skill"? – katie Apr 07 '11 at 19:02
Absolutely - skill is one alternative, also see diligence. – HaL Apr 07 '11 at 19:04
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@rahul - proficency might be closer – mgb Apr 08 '11 at 04:24

score 9 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 07 '11 at 18:59

9

It means “mastery of Google” or “Googling skill”. It is modelled after kung fu:

kung fu (noun): a primarily unarmed Chinese martial art resembling karate.
ORIGIN from Chinese gōngfú, from gōng ‘merit’ + fú ‘master.’

answered Apr 07 '11 at 18:59

F'x

38,736

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 07 '11 at 18:58

2

It's a pormanteau of "Google" and "Kung-Fu," meaning to have high skill or art.

answered Apr 07 '11 at 18:58

The Raven

12,593

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I don't believe it's exactly a portmanteau: see above, the Chinese *fú* word reportedly has meaning in itself. A portmanteau is made from parts that don't have standalone meaning, doesn't it? – F'x Apr 07 '11 at 19:00
4

In this case it is because it doesn't matter what the Chinese "fu" means - in English it is meaningless outside of the entire term. – The Raven Apr 08 '11 at 07:25

score 2 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 07 '11 at 19:00

2

Google fu is a slightly jokey term referring to the ability to utilise google's search functionality better than your average user.

urban dictionary

answered Apr 07 '11 at 19:00

Robb

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What does "Google-fu" mean?

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