FAQs about definitions

What does SMDH mean?

SMDM means “shaking my damn head.” “SMDH” is a text abbreviation that someone writes when they are very frustrated or strongly disapprove of something (e.g., “My connecting flight just got delayed for 5 hours, so I’m stuck at the airport. SMDH”).

Because “SMDH” technically has an expletive (curse word), it’s probably not a good slang abbreviation for the workplace.

When you’re writing about things that frustrate you, why not try the QuillBot Paraphraser. It can show you different ways to say the same thing so that you don’t offend anyone.

Read this FAQ: What does SMDH mean?

Is it shm or smh?

The correct text abbreviation for “shaking my head” is SMH, not SHM. Use “SMH” in text messages or online chats when you want to show disappointment, frustration, or disapproval about a situation (e.g., “The squirrels ate all our tomatoes again. SMH”). 

If you’re ever looking for alternatives to “shaking my head,” the QuillBot Paraphraser can show you different ways to say the same thing.

Read this FAQ: Is it shm or smh?

Is SMH disrespectful?

SMH can be disrespectful in some situations and contexts. “SMH” is a text abbreviation for “shaking my head,” which is a sign of frustration or disapproval (similar to how you would shake your head “no”).

If you say “SMH” about another person’s actions, it’s disrespectful because it’s a form of gossiping. If you say “SMH” about a situation that’s beyond a person’s control, it’s not disrespectful.

You should generally reserve “SMH” for topics that you and the other person agree upon and that aren’t disparaging of other people (e.g., mutual friends or coworkers).

Whether you’re writing with text abbreviations or not, spelling and punctuation are important. The QuillBot Grammar Checker extension can be installed on a variety of email and messaging apps.

Read this FAQ: Is SMH disrespectful?

Is 12 am midnight?

Yes, conventionally, 12 a.m. is midnight, and 12 p.m. is noon/midday.

You can say, “12 a.m. midnight” (or just “12 midnight”) and “12 p.m. noon” (or just “12 noon”) for clarity when making arrangements.

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser tool can help you find alternative words and phrases for time expressions like “midnight” and “noon.”

Read this FAQ: Is 12 am midnight?

Is it goodmorning or good morning?

It is Good morning, not Goodmorning (i.e., the greeting “Good morning” is written as two words).

Bear in mind that what time is morning is often determined by the context (e.g., 2 a.m. is usually considered nighttime, but coworkers starting an early shift at this hour might greet each with “Good morning”).

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser tool can help you find alternatives to greetings such as “Good morning” in your writing.

Read this FAQ: Is it goodmorning or good morning?

Is 12 am morning?

12 a.m. is midnight. It is the point at which one day finishes and the next day starts, so 12:01 a.m. is technically morning time in contexts where morning is defined as the first 12 hours of the day.

You can say “12 a.m. midnight” or just “12 midnight” for clarity when making arrangements.

What time is morning can depend on context (e.g., 2:30 a.m. may be considered morning for a shift worker beginning an early shift but nighttime for someone who went to bed at midnight and has been woken up by a thunderstorm).

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you find synonyms for time expressions such as “midnight” and “nighttime.”

Read this FAQ: Is 12 am morning?

Is 12 pm noon?

Yes, conventionally 12 p.m. is noon, and 12 a.m. is midnight.

You can say “12 p.m. noon” (or just “12 noon”) and “12 a.m. midnight” (or just “12 midnight”) for clarity when making arrangements.

12 noon is the point at which morning ends and afternoon starts.

Bear in mind that the context sometimes determines what time is morning (e.g., 3 a.m may be considered morning for someone starting an early work shift but nighttime for someone who went to bed at 11:30 p.m. and has been woken up by a noisy neighbor).

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser tool can help you find alternative words and phrases for times and parts of the day such as “noon” and “nighttime.”

Read this FAQ: Is 12 pm noon?

Is 11 am morning?

Yes, 11 a.m. is morning (one hour before noon/midday). Using the 24-hour clock (military time), it is written as 11:00.

You can say “Good morning” to someone at 11 a.m.

What time is morning can depend on context (e.g., 2 a.m. may be considered morning for someone starting an early work shift but nighttime for someone who went to bed at 11 p.m. and has been woken up by a noise).

Have you tried QuillBot’s free Paraphraser? It can help you find alternatives to time expressions such as “a.m.” and “noon.”

Read this FAQ: Is 11 am morning?

What’s the meaning of couch as a verb?

Couch, when used as a verb, means “communicate something in a particular way.” It often has the implication that someone wants to hide their true motive or avoid offending someone. For example:

• The writer couched his most controversial point in scientific language so that it would be harder for people to disagree.
• It is often best to couch criticism with phrases like “have you considered” or “I might suggest.”

QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you make sure you’re using words like couch correctly.

Read this FAQ: What’s the meaning of couch as a verb?

What does urbi et orbi mean?

Urbi et orbi means “to the city and the world” in Latin. The city in this context is the Vatican in Rome. “Urbi et orbi” is the blessing that the pope uses when he addresses the world on specific occasions from St. Peter’s Basilica (e.g., after he is elected by the papal conclave).

In the Catholic Church, “urbi et orbi” is the most solemn form of blessing.

If you’re ever writing about religious traditions or world events, why not try the QuillBot Grammar Checker? It’s a quick and easy way to proofread.

Read this FAQ: What does urbi et orbi mean?