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The "lol" Divide

Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny

Broderick Hicks
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I find it interesting how turned off I am by the written expression "lol". I can't stand it. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because no one actually says "lol" and that in real life if you "lol"ed you would just be making laughing sounds. I think it's because I like to read in a conversational manner and that sticks out because it wouldn't be in a conversation. Many other online expressions apply (smh, rofl, etc) but this is the most used.

I must admit that people who use "lol" instantly seem corny, silly, or dumb. I know it's not fair. Or accurate. Anyone else feel this way?
 
i only use lol when i actually find something funny; rarely do i laugh out loud. if i do, i usually say "i actually laughed out loud at that one" or whatever.

"haha" is a polite acknowledgement of my turn in conversation or a reponse to a lame humor attempt
 
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my mother thought it stood for lots of love for a long while. We realized she didn't quite understand the meaning after she offered condolences to a friend on facebook on the one year anniversary of his father's death...and followed it with LOL
 
I do know people who say "lol" in real life. They are women. It's not great.
 
JamesSokolove said:
my mother thought it stood for lots of love for a long while. We realized she didn't quite understand the meaning after she offered condolences to a friend on facebook on the one year anniversary of his father's death...and followed it with LOL
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A vendor gave me a coffee mug filled with candy. It was a black mug with LOL engraved. I brought it home so my kids could eat the candy. My wife (a Wake grad and sister to a reasonably humerous/clever poster) asks "Why would this girl vendor give you a mug saying Lots of Love??!!??" You could say I had some fun with that one.
 
I do the same thing as Deacphan. Sometimes I add the 'z' for affect lullz
 
Deacfan2009 said:
I do the same thing as Deacphan. Sometimes I add the 'z' for affect lullz
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I get this. Its like saying "totes" when you are ironically saying it to mock people who actually say it.

Another problem I have with "lol" is that it is a broad sweeping expression that gets used in all kinds of ways for which words actually exist to describe those situations.
 
Manifest Destiny said:
I get this. Its like saying "totes" when you are ironically saying it to mock people who actually say it.

Another problem I have with "lol" is that it is a broad sweeping expression that gets used in all kinds of ways for which words actually exist to describe those situations.
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yes, but some ways are better or more effective than others. Do you honestly receive a text that says "that was funny" (not preceded by an lol or haha) and think "yeah, he's legitimately entertained"
 
ImTheCaptain said:
yes, but some ways are better or more effective than others. Do you honestly receive a text that says "that was funny" (not preceded by an lol or haha) and think "yeah, he's legitimately entertained"
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ImTheCaptain said:
i assumed MD was talking about board/text/email/chat usage of lol, not IRL usage
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Yeah im definitely talking about board/text stuff. See, for me, haha is totally acceptable but "lol" is not. Maybe the thread title should be the Haha/Lol Divide.
 
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