On our endless exploration of reading the subtext beneath corporate terms, “FYI” is also among one of the worst. Although it is a seemingly generous term during which another will inform you of something purely “for your information,” it is, in fact, a way for them to tell you how something is vexing them (regardless of whether you’re responsible for it or not).
Not only is the term intended to unload the other person’s burden onto you, but also to presume to take control of a situation by making the FYI into a future “best practice.” After enough emails with the abbreviation bandied, you’ll soon find yourself transforming its meaning into “fuck your information.”