What Does RSVP Stand For?

Some fail to realize that RSVP is an acronym, though that acronym doesn't actually stand for anything in English. What RSVP really stands for is répondez s'il vous plaît in French, translating to something like "please respond." In other words, you've received something in the mail formally inviting you to an event, and in return, the host requests that you respond, or RSVP, to let them know if you will be attending, per Reader's Digest.

Etiquette surrounding exactly how to properly to RSVP has changed over the years. For hosts, requesting an RSVP is useful when planning meals, or just to determine how many chairs to set up. For guests uncertain whether or not they can attend, letting the host know that the invitation was received and that you'll be in touch shortly is still considered best practice, according to Refinery 29. What's for certain, though, is that as long as people gather for functions and events, it's likely we will still use RSVP far into the future.

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