An observation I’ve just made: many newbies use “LOL” in their first few posts.
Then they stop.
Do we beat it out of them?
One can only hope.
LOL!
ouch
ROFL
ROTFLSHIWMP
I tend to use it only rarely even in IM. I think it’s just a little too childish for the SDMB.
Newbies quickly see the sort of people they are dealing with here and I’d wager they’d feel a little typing things like that.
Much like the use of proper grammar, punctuation and the oft-ignored caps.
I’ll use it occasionally in IM, but I find it irritating here. Can’t explain why, but it seems out of place here.
::Ferry holds up the “I don’t get it” sign::
I see the ROTFL, but the SHIWMP eludes me…
~Ferry
Words cannot express how much I despise seeing LOL. The only thing that makes me more red with anger is a post that is NOTHING but the word “LOL”.
Hesus Kristi, people, we’re all presumably functioning humans. Is there no better way to express ourselves?
WMP = “wet my pants”?
and add “so hard” in front of that.
I’m happy I didn’t know that.
and put “I” between the two.
At least we don’t get the giggly, furry types. Yeech.
Pffft. LoL is SO old fashioned…
…or do we not say “LOL” because we have :D?
** The World Wry Web - SDMB humour **
A study by Garius BA (Hons)
SDMB - a Background
Members of the SDMB generally exhibit a higher than average IQ. Recent tests show that “dopers” exhibit signs of a higher awareness of current affairs than can be found in the general population.
As a result the SDMB falls firmly within the AB2 - High Culture Social Non-technical Specific Category on the Zotti Scale.
The SDMB does not appear to suffer from the community dilution process that normally surfaces in boards of this category - largely due to the efforts of a small policing group known as The Moderators who are quick to act on any transgression of board law with firm penalties and Oscar Wilde-esque one liners.
n.b. - A thriving “Cult of the Moderators” exists on the board. Many are worshipped as Demi-Gods and exploit this to control a sub-community of informants large enough to make the Soviet Union blush
Humour Type
Consistent with its AB2 catagorisation, the SDMB exhibits a decidedly sophisticated and “clever” brand of humour with a clear British influence.
Also consistent with this is the lack of the strong LOL presence found elsewhere on the web. Members of the SDMB seem to have almost unconsciously agreed that acknowledging a humourous post with a LOL is largely un-necessary - the post is either funny or not. Some damn idiot posting LOL straight afterwards isn’t go to change it either way.
Another factor in the lack of LOLing may well be that generally dopers are, in real life, cool, cultured, suave and sophisticated individuals (just like the author of this study) who long ago learnt the art of not LOLing in real life (its hard to look cool, cultured, suave and sophisticated when you are laughing so hard that your pepsi is running out of your nose).
Expressing/Acknowledging Humour
Occasionally a poster will need to specify that a statement is humourous or will wish to acknowledge a particularly good previous post. This is generally accomplished through the use of a number of key smileys - noticibly 
and :rolleyes:
Conclusion
This internetologist has found the SDMB to be an interesting, thriving and highly addictive community and strongly recommends further study.
What’s an “intern-etologist?”
hey - it was either that or “webologist”
I prefer the classic
BWA HA HA HA HA HA Giggle giggle snort
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!111!!1!!!1!!!1!!! 11!
:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)