What is IRC?
The simple answer is "Internet Relay Chat", which probably leaves you as confused as you were before... So, let's break it down a bit...
We all know what the internet is; the connecting of millions of computers all over the world for free exchange of information. You know what chat is; you most likely do a little (or a lot) of it everyday, with the friends, with your family, and quite possibly with a complete stranger. Finally, the technical bit, relayed. It simply means what it says. The chat is relayed over the internet, from person to person.
So there you have it, IRC is chat relayed from you to your friends over the internet. But what is it really?.... read on...
What is it really?
Good question that, and you didn't have to read far to find out. It's a question that I can't really answer for everyone. Different people see IRC as different things, but one thing holds common across most peoples vision, and that is it's place to meet new people, talk with old friends and most importantly enjoy yourself and have fun.