lol

Australia
June 22, 2009 8:33pm CST
LOL (laugh out loud) is a phrase that has become largely accepted in todays society. Usually only used in text messages or instant messages etc. But is also being brought into casual conversation by some. But when did it all start? who was the first person to say lol? why did they do it? i think most people will agree it is a wonderful "word" but do we know ANYTHING about where it originated?
1 person likes this
3 responses
SuperJelly
@SuperJelly (320)
• Malawi
23 Jun 09
Detailed information on this topic is hard to find but en.wikipedia.org has some info that could possibly give you some light.
7diablos7
@7diablos7 (9)
•
23 Jun 09
Earliest i can remember seeing lol was years ago on usenet in a small amount of newsgroups and later came rofl if i remember rightly, i know a lot of people who say lol face to face now including myself, we pronounce it where i live as lawl, its not taken so much as being really funny as it was back in the day, more of a lazy way to say im quite amused but not so much as to actually laugh for real, i know a few people to who really hate it and all "texting" slang, i dont think it will go away in a hurry do you
goolonga
@goolonga (75)
• Australia
24 Jun 09
no, i think its here to stay, for many many years. Until someone zany enough to think of something even more convenient and outrageous. lol is also used in place of things when people having nothing better to say cant think of anything? just say lol
Jimeous
@Jimeous (858)
• New Zealand
23 Jun 09
I wouldn't have a clue whom started it, but it's probably from old Usenet messages. If I had to guess, abbreviations would be popular in an age where you were charged by data traffic, or by the minute.
goolonga
@goolonga (75)
• Australia
24 Jun 09
yeh, abbreviations are rather popular these days, but sometimes it gets confusing with the nvm and the dw and the roflmao. its especially confusing when they cross over such as btw, which can mean by the way or be that way its mindblowing