February 10, 2026
A digital gesture used to "pay respects" or acknowledge a failure, mistake, or unfortunate event.

This term has a fascinating origin in the gaming world, specifically from a scene in Call of Duty where players were prompted to "Press F to Pay Respects" at a funeral. It has since migrated into general internet culture as a way to acknowledge a "loss" or a minor tragedy. If someone shares a story about failing a test or dropping their phone in the sink, a friend might simply reply with "F" in the chat. It is a succinct, slightly ironic way of showing empathy. While it started as a joke, it is now a foundational part of how the younger generation communicates sympathy for life's little mishaps. It serves as a digital nod of shared understanding, proving that even a single letter can carry a significant amount of social meaning and emotional support in a fast-moving conversation.
We've compiled this dictionary of common teen slang to help parents communicate with their kids. SafetyMode is the world's most advanced parental safety app for phones, making any Android phone safe for kids. You can find out more and download the app just here.





“I felt that the safety features were really suitable for me to be able to support my child whilst using the phone. It was good that I was able to manage these.”
Jane – Mum of 11 year old
“He couldn't access restricted material and it wasn't even coming up for him due to the settings. It gave me a peace of mind as I can't police him all the time with the phone.”
Tom – Dad of 13 year old