ELI5
Abbreviation · Slang & Abbreviations · Origin: 2011
Definitions
ELI5 stands for Explain Like I'm 5, an internet expression requesting or providing a simplified explanation of a complex topic as if the audience were a five-year-old child. The abbreviation became widely popular through the Reddit community r/explainlikeimfive, one of the platform's most popular subreddits, where users ask for accessible explanations of topics ranging from quantum physics to economics to legal concepts. The goal is not literally toddler-level communication but rather clear, jargon-free explanations that use analogies, everyday examples, and simple language to make difficult concepts accessible to anyone regardless of their background. The concept reflects a broader value in technical communication: the ability to explain complex ideas simply is considered a sign of deep understanding, often attributed to a quote misattributed to Einstein. In tech culture, asking for an ELI5 is a socially acceptable way to admit you do not understand something and request a clearer explanation.
In plain English: Asking someone to explain something as simply as possible, as if talking to a young child — no jargon, no assumptions of knowledge.
In AI and machine learning, ELI5 is also a Python library for explaining machine learning model predictions in human-understandable terms. The library name is a direct reference to the Reddit concept — making complex model behavior interpretable.
Example: 'ELI5 blockchain: imagine a Google Doc where everyone can see edits, nobody can delete anything, and you need most of the group to agree before adding a new line.'
Source: Python library / explanation culture