I still don't quite get "lol"

albionmoonlight · 09-02-2009, 08:28 AM

I mean, I get it when it is used normally. You post something funny, and I post back "LOL."

But I don't get it when it is used as a tic when someone is typing. Speech tics, I get. Some people throw "like" and "um" and "uh" into their speech without really knowing that they do it. I am sure that I do it a lot. And there are lots of psychological reasons that we do it.

But how can you need to do that when you type?

Here's the example that I noticed today, though the problem is legion. A guy on facebook posted in his status update that he is in desparate need of a job and is asking for any leads that anyone has.* Someone commented back:

Quote:

damnnn !! you really are desperate if u poste that on here..lol well hope u can find one soon

I mean, is "lol" really appropriate there? If your friend had just told you this in a bar, would you laugh out loud at them?

Indeed, does any non-Tourette's person laugh out loud as much as some people type "lol?"

I just don't get it. And I find it annoying.

*Yeah, I think that it is weird to post for all of your facebook friends that you need a job really badly. But maybe I have never been that desparate. I don't know. That's a whole other thread, though--the way-too-much-personal-information way that some people use facebook

Kodos · 09-02-2009, 08:31 AM

Kodos · 09-02-2009, 08:32 AM

Sorry, that was kinda obligatory. I don't LOL or ROFL or that stuff, but I can probably be accused of abusing smilies.

MJ4H · 09-02-2009, 08:34 AM

It seems to be used kind of like "heh" a lot, like if you were to kind of do a "heh" in the middle of what you are saying out loud. I don't really know, but when it is used like that it does bug me a little, too.

KWhit · 09-02-2009, 08:36 AM

It looks like it was used there kind of as a smiley would be - to soften the tone of the statement. To let the guy know he was being somewhat in jest with his "you must be desperate" comment.

MIJB#19 · 09-02-2009, 09:40 AM

What I don't get is people actually saying 'lol' while they clearly are not laughing.

Btw, in dutch, 'lol' is actually a real word and synonymus for 'fun' (ik heb lol = I'm having fun/I'm having a good time).

Noop · 09-02-2009, 09:43 AM

RomaGoth · 09-02-2009, 09:51 AM

LMAO.

MikeVic · 09-02-2009, 10:14 AM

Yeah, I use it in place of a "heh" or "

" or just when I don't know what to say, or am amused... it has a lot of uses, almost never meaning "laughs out loud." If I really mean "lol" then I'll use a "LOL."

cartman · 09-02-2009, 10:25 AM

OMGWTFBBQ!!11!

DaddyTorgo · 09-02-2009, 10:37 AM

what's wrong with posting on facebook that you're in desperate need of a job? get your network of friends to work for you in finding a job. i think that's actually smart - as long as you don't abuse it

JediKooter · 09-02-2009, 11:43 AM

'poste' LOL

Pumpy Tudors · 09-02-2009, 12:23 PM

I only type "lol" when I am punching somebody in the face.

RomaGoth · 09-02-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I only type "lol" when I am punching somebody in the face.

Same here, luckily my computer is hands-free.

Autumn · 09-02-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

what's wrong with posting on facebook that you're in desperate need of a job? get your network of friends to work for you in finding a job. i think that's actually smart - as long as you don't abuse it

I agree, that's a perfect way to use it. I see people getting tips and help of all sorts through their statuses. A friend just posted that she needed to get a new mattress for her kid who outgrew their toddler bed. A friend had one that she was wanting to get rid of, bingo. I would do the same if I was looking for work. woudln't you ask a friend one on one, "hey, heard about any job opportunities?"

Draft Dodger · 09-02-2009, 01:04 PM

several years ago, a coworker used to think that LOL means "Lots of Love", and used to get really, really pissed off at all sorts of people hitting on her inappropriately until finally someone set her straight.

good times. lol.

Pumpy Tudors · 09-02-2009, 01:04 PM

This is really nothing compared to the 48-year-old dude I know whose status message said "balls deep in a married latina RIGHT NOW hope she doesnt squeal lol".

Icy · 09-02-2009, 01:40 PM

For me it is even worse and shows that i expend more time talking in boards than with real persons due to me working on internet and from home. Sometimes, when talking with real people, i have been about to say "LOL", but thankfully my brain stopped just in time to not to say it.

aran · 09-02-2009, 02:08 PM

I only use "lol" when I'm being sarcastic or ironic. I'll usually type out "haha" if i find something actually funny or "heh" if i'm token-laughing.

My mother thought "lol" meant "lots of love"--she sent my brother a text message once while he ws recovering from a back injury "hows your back feeling lol". Of course my brother and I only know of lol as meaning its standard internet meaning, so we found that quite funny and give my mom crap about it jokingly.

RomaGoth · 09-02-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

several years ago, a coworker used to think that LOL means "Lots of Love", and used to get really, really pissed off at all sorts of people hitting on her inappropriately until finally someone set her straight.

good times. lol.

pics plz k thx

Lorena · 09-02-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aran

My mother thought "lol" meant "lots of love"--she sent my brother a text message once while he ws recovering from a back injury "hows your back feeling lol". Of course my brother and I only know of lol as meaning its standard internet meaning, so we found that quite funny and give my mom crap about it jokingly.

This deserves an LOL! Ahahahaha, oh man that's hilarious

rkmsuf · 09-03-2009, 07:51 PM

so basically I've missed nothing

Groundhog · 09-03-2009, 08:00 PM

I think the problem with communicating by text, on the internet or anywhere else, is the lack of emotion. That's why things are often taken the complete wrong way.

The statement "Yeah, thanks" can be sarcastic, serious, or whatever. If I'm communicating with a friend and it's a very casual conversation I might put "Yeah, thanks... lol" just to make it clear that I'm being completely casual in my response and not being a dick.

M GO BLUE!!! · 09-04-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

This is really nothing compared to the 48-year-old dude I know whose status message said "balls deep in a married latina RIGHT NOW hope she doesnt squeal lol".

You always know just what to say. lol

or as Scott Norwood might say "l l o"

SteveMax58 · 09-04-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groundhog

If I'm communicating with a friend and it's a very casual conversation I might put "Yeah, thanks... lol" just to make it clear that I'm being completely casual in my response and not being a dick.

Funny...if you wrote that to me I would take it as being a sarcastic (though not dick-ish) response.

thesloppy · 09-04-2009, 11:10 AM

Rather than meaning "laugh out loud", I think a lot of people use lol to mean "this phrase serves as an indicator that the content of my post is meant in good humor". They'll just insert that shit randomly in any and every sentence to make sure you understand that they're being "funny", which is somewhat ironic as the number of LOLs contained in any post/email is always inversely proportionate to the actual amount of humor contained within.

09-02-2009, 08:34 AM	#4
MJ4H Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hog Country	It seems to be used kind of like "heh" a lot, like if you were to kind of do a "heh" in the middle of what you are saying out loud. I don't really know, but when it is used like that it does bug me a little, too. __________________ My YouTube channel My Twitch channel My Sharona

09-02-2009, 09:40 AM	#6
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	What I don't get is people actually saying 'lol' while they clearly are not laughing. Btw, in dutch, 'lol' is actually a real word and synonymus for 'fun' (ik heb lol = I'm having fun/I'm having a good time). __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

09-02-2009, 09:43 AM	#7
Noop Bonafide Seminole Fan Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Miami	Meh. __________________ Subby's favorite woman hater.

09-02-2009, 10:14 AM	#9
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	Yeah, I use it in place of a "heh" or "" or just when I don't know what to say, or am amused... it has a lot of uses, almost never meaning "laughs out loud." If I really mean "lol" then I'll use a "LOL."

09-02-2009, 10:25 AM	#10
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	OMGWTFBBQ!!11! __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

09-02-2009, 08:31 AM	#2
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	ROFL

09-02-2009, 08:32 AM	#3
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	Sorry, that was kinda obligatory. I don't LOL or ROFL or that stuff, but I can probably be accused of abusing smilies.

09-02-2009, 08:36 AM	#5
KWhit Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Conyers GA	It looks like it was used there kind of as a smiley would be - to soften the tone of the statement. To let the guy know he was being somewhat in jest with his "you must be desperate" comment.

09-02-2009, 10:37 AM	#11
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	what's wrong with posting on facebook that you're in desperate need of a job? get your network of friends to work for you in finding a job. i think that's actually smart - as long as you don't abuse it __________________ If I've ever helped you and you'd like to buy me a coffee, or just to say thanks, I have my Bitcoin and Ethereum addressed listed below :) BTC: bc1qykhsfyn9vw4ntqfgr0svj4n9tjdgufryh2pxn5 ETH: 0x2AcdC5cd88EA537063553F5b240073bE067BaCa9

09-02-2009, 11:43 AM	#12
JediKooter Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Diego via Sausalito via San Jose via San Diego	'poste' LOL __________________ I'm no longer a Chargers fan, they are dead to me Coming this summer to a movie theater near you: The Adventures of Jedikooter: Part 4

09-02-2009, 12:23 PM	#13
Pumpy Tudors Bounty Hunter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	I only type "lol" when I am punching somebody in the face. __________________ No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor.

09-02-2009, 01:04 PM	#16
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	several years ago, a coworker used to think that LOL means "Lots of Love", and used to get really, really pissed off at all sorts of people hitting on her inappropriately until finally someone set her straight. good times. lol. __________________ Mile High Hockey

09-02-2009, 01:40 PM	#18
Icy Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toledo - Spain	For me it is even worse and shows that i expend more time talking in boards than with real persons due to me working on internet and from home. Sometimes, when talking with real people, i have been about to say "LOL", but thankfully my brain stopped just in time to not to say it. __________________

09-02-2009, 02:08 PM	#19
aran High School Varsity Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Jersey, USA	I only use "lol" when I'm being sarcastic or ironic. I'll usually type out "haha" if i find something actually funny or "heh" if i'm token-laughing. My mother thought "lol" meant "lots of love"--she sent my brother a text message once while he ws recovering from a back injury "hows your back feeling lol". Of course my brother and I only know of lol as meaning its standard internet meaning, so we found that quite funny and give my mom crap about it jokingly.

09-03-2009, 07:51 PM	#22
rkmsuf Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2001	so basically I've missed nothing __________________ "Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales

09-03-2009, 08:00 PM	#23
Groundhog Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia	I think the problem with communicating by text, on the internet or anywhere else, is the lack of emotion. That's why things are often taken the complete wrong way. The statement "Yeah, thanks" can be sarcastic, serious, or whatever. If I'm communicating with a friend and it's a very casual conversation I might put "Yeah, thanks... lol" just to make it clear that I'm being completely casual in my response and not being a dick. __________________ Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. --Ambrose Bierce

09-04-2009, 11:10 AM	#26
thesloppy Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: PDX	Rather than meaning "laugh out loud", I think a lot of people use lol to mean "this phrase serves as an indicator that the content of my post is meant in good humor". They'll just insert that shit randomly in any and every sentence to make sure you understand that they're being "funny", which is somewhat ironic as the number of LOLs contained in any post/email is always inversely proportionate to the actual amount of humor contained within.

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