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:''For other things known by the acronym LOL, see [[LOL]].'' |
:''For other things known by the acronym LOL, see [[LOL]].'' |
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{{wiktionarypar2|LOL|lol}} |
{{wiktionarypar2|LOL|lol}} |
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'''LOL''' (also spelled '''lol''') is a [[TLA]], the [[abbreviation]] for "'''laughing out loud'''" or less commonly "'''lots of laughs |
'''LOL''' (also spelled '''lol''') is a [[TLA]], the [[abbreviation]] for "'''laughing out loud'''" or less commonly "'''lots of laughs,'''" "'''lord o lord,'''" or the [[backronym]] "'''lots of love'''", "'''lots of luck'''". LOL is a common element of [[Internet slang]] used historically on [[Usenet]] and in [[bulletin board system]]s; and continuing to the present day in nearly all Internet and wireless venues (e.g [[Internet Relay Chat|IRC]] and [[instant messaging]]). It is used for expressing general amusement, or a wide variety of subtle emotions depending on [[subculture|subcultural]] context. As well as being a state of action, some use the word as a verb, such as "I'm going to lol." Many similar acronyms for expressing laughter exist. In [[Dutch language|Dutch]] "'''lol'''" is a common word meaning "'''fun'''", but recently, the term LOL has been sneaking into [[English language|English]] spoken conversational speech as well, as a wry acknowledgment of humour rather than actually laughing. LOL is also widely used to lessen the impact of a somewhat serious sentence, for example "I don't really want to do it lol". |
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== Analysis == |
== Analysis == |
Revision as of 17:38, 8 February 2006
- For other things known by the acronym LOL, see LOL.
LOL (also spelled lol) is a TLA, the abbreviation for "laughing out loud" or less commonly "lots of laughs," "lord o lord," or the backronym "lots of love", "lots of luck". LOL is a common element of Internet slang used historically on Usenet and in bulletin board systems; and continuing to the present day in nearly all Internet and wireless venues (e.g IRC and instant messaging). It is used for expressing general amusement, or a wide variety of subtle emotions depending on subcultural context. As well as being a state of action, some use the word as a verb, such as "I'm going to lol." Many similar acronyms for expressing laughter exist. In Dutch "lol" is a common word meaning "fun", but recently, the term LOL has been sneaking into English spoken conversational speech as well, as a wry acknowledgment of humour rather than actually laughing. LOL is also widely used to lessen the impact of a somewhat serious sentence, for example "I don't really want to do it lol".
Analysis
Many people are critical of "LOL" and its related acronyms and there is widespread controversy over their use.
Siren[1] criticises the overuse of "LOL", stating that he has "seen people type 'LOL' after every sentence" and thus finds it hard to believe "that people are actually laughing out loud every single time they type this". FangedFriend[2] criticizes "LOL" on the grounds that whilst the concept of laughing out loud existed prior to the existence of the acronym, the existence of the acronym decreases the quality of the English language, with its "insidious habit of sneaking into people’s homework, notes, and other daily thoughts in general". Brad[3] observes that people "say 'lol' for no reason at all" and asserts that the word has been "used so much in common [I]nternet slang that we have been desensitized to its meaning." Lacetti, professor of humanities at Stevens Institute of Technology, and Molsk[4] predict reduced chances of employment for students who use such acronyms, stating that "Unfortunately for these students, their bosses will not be 'lol' when they read a report that lacks proper punctuation and grammar, has numerous misspellings, various made-up words, and silly acronyms." Selinger, discussing meeting people over the Internet, states that she has "already made it clear to friends and family that I will never date anyone who writes 'sup' or 'lol' [...] to me in an e-mail."[5]
Twitchell[6], on the other hand, defends these acronyms as having "become a standard part of [I]nternet conversations and you're just going to have to get used to it".
Variations on the theme
The widespread use of the term has sprung many variations such as pseudo-pluralizations (e.g. lols and lolz), repetitions (e.g. lololol, loooool, and any number of other repetitious variants), and puns (e.g. lollerskates, lolgasm, lollercoaster). Sometimes the Os are replaced with alternating or random zeroes (e.g. lo0o0ol).
Despite it being an English acronym, it is often used by non-English speakers as-is, even in other scripts (eg. Arabic: لول, Hebrew:לול).
Variants and translations in widespread use
- El oh el - pseudo-pronunciation.
- lal or lawl — "la(w)l" can refer to either a way in which someone words the phrase of lol, or the German translation (although most German speakers use 'lol') Saying lawl is sometimes meant in mockery of those who use the term LOL, and not meant as serious usage.
- Lol (lollig) is a Dutch word, meaning fun (funny).
- Mdr is the equivalent in French : Mort De Rire ('Dying of laughter')
- w — used commonly in 2channel
- lolled (also spelled "lol'd") - past-tense form; as in the sentence, "I lolled at the movie."
- LMAO stands for "Laughing My Ass Off" and has several variations itself:
References
- ^ Siren (October 5). "Internet slang: the dummening of our culture".
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ignored (help) - ^ Selinger, Hannah. "What I learned on Myspace".
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ignored (help) - ^ Douglas Twitchell (October 5). "Interpreting internet slang is beyond me!". Ask Doug.
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