LOL - what does it really mean?

wegs

wegs

Matter and Pixie Dust
Valued Senior Member
I've been thinking that ''lol'' doesn't really mean ''laugh out loud,'' anymore...like it seems many people use it as a form of sarcasm when they dislike posts or they merely find something lighthearted. It seems to have lost its original ''value'' or something.

Depending on the text interaction or thread, etc - LOL could signify that the person simply has nothing more to say. To my chagrin, I don't use 'lol' as it's meant to be used.

Now there have been times when I've audibly laughed out loud from a text message or a post on here, and will reply with LMAO or hahahaha. If you ever see me reply with that, you'll know that what you've posted, was truly hilarious. :wink:

So, do you agree? Think about the times you use LOL - is it because you really think something is funny with whom you're communicating with, or do you have other reasons for using it?
 
When people watch a comedy show on their own ,they don't laugh even though they may find it funny.

Laughter is a social experience (I saw that explained recently on the telly.It was an experiment )

And the internet is,I think a solitary experience in that respect.(I do sometimes laugh when at my device ,sadly at my own jokes sometimes:biggrin:)

Have never used lol btw.
 
geordief said:
When people watch a comedy show on their own ,they don't laugh even though they may find it funny.

Laughter is a social experience (I saw that explained recently on the telly.It was an experiment )

And the internet is,I think a solitary experience in that respect.(I do sometimes laugh when at my device ,sadly at my own jokes sometimes:biggrin:)

Have never used lol btw.
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Really? You've never used it? That's amazing. :D

:D <--- this emoji is a good replacement for lol
 
wegs said:
I've been thinking that ''lol'' doesn't really mean ''laugh out loud,'' anymore...like it seems many people use it as a form of sarcasm when they dislike posts or they merely find something lighthearted. It seems to have lost its original ''value'' or something.

Depending on the text interaction or thread, etc - LOL could signify that the person simply has nothing more to say. To my chagrin, I don't use 'lol' as it's meant to be used.

Now there have been times when I've audibly laughed out loud from a text message or a post on here, and will reply with LMAO or hahahaha. If you ever see me reply with that, you'll know that what you've posted, was truly hilarious. :wink:

So, do you agree? Think about the times you use LOL - is it because you really think something is funny with whom you're communicating with, or do you have other reasons for using it?
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I don't think I've ever used it.:) I just type hahaha. It's my min-protest I suppose. I just can't bring myself to use "lol". Some people think I over use :) but when I don't use it those same people ask if I'm kidding so you can't win sometimes.
 
Seattle said:
I don't think I've ever used it.:) I just type hahaha. It's my min-protest I suppose. I just can't bring myself to use "lol".
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For real, I literally ''laughed out loud.''

lol @ ''mini-protest"
 
Seattle said:
I don't think I've ever used it.:) I just type hahaha. It's my min-protest I suppose. I just can't bring myself to use "lol". Some people think I over use :) but when I don't use it those same people ask if I'm kidding so you can't win sometimes.
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We could try "sis" (snickering in silence)
 
Hmm, snicker involves ''scorn.'' Unless you're both scornfully laughing at others, then 'sis' would not be the right choice. Just saying. lol
 
wegs said:
Hmm, snicker involves ''scorn.'' Unless you're both scornfully laughing at others, then 'sis' would not be the right choice. Just saying. lol
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SIS is too much like CIS. I'm 'just" going to draw the line here.
 
It still means what it means.

It's just that, nowadays, it is used in a way more hyperbolic than originally (i.e. you say it even when it is not literally true).

But I think that is the case for many culturally new words. Pop culture gets saturated with the original meaning so much that its impact is lost and it starts being used ironically (i.e. self-consciously).
 
wegs said:
hahaha

#liveyourbestlife #youdoyou
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Here's a good bar trick for you. If someone ever says they have a friend who lives in Seattle and they want you to guess what they do for a living, just ask if their friend is a guy or a girl.

If it's a guy the correct answer will be "software engineer".

If it's a girl it gets tricky. You'll have to guess because it's either "yoga instructor" or "massage therapist".

Occasionally you'll still be wrong. You can ask for a clue by asking "is she always broke?". If the answer is "yes" then she is a "lifestyle coach".
 
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Write4U said:
When I first saw this abbreviation I thought it meant "lots of love".

I wonder now what people must have thought after I wished them well followed by a LOL......o_O
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geordief said:
When people watch a comedy show on their own ,they don't laugh even though they may find it funny.
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I beg to differ. There are two little skits that make me ROFL every time I see them. The delivery is irresistibly funny.
The first one is deliverd by Christopher Walken and is a masterpiece of subtle body language. It's just a precious little piece of acting.


The second delivery is a tour-de-force by Robin Williams, a gem of painting a verbal picture and building a punch line.

warning crude language
If can resist laughing you have no empathy.......o_O
 
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