# SDMB: Thanks for being a LOL-free zone **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 15, 2003, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649 "2003-09-15T00:44:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Flamsterette\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/21 "2003-09-15T08:15:07Z")
I very rarely use “lol” or its variants; there’s something a bit irritating about it. Not that I think people who do use it are being irritating, except for this one guy I occasionally talk to on Yahoo / MSN. His messages are full of things like “hey tiger lol how are u lol…” Gaaaah!! Other than that, though… it’s okay, but I’d almost never use it myself. I prefer “hahahahaha,” to be honest. 😃 I couldn’t put my finger on why “LOL” was a tad irritating, though… not until I read [this piece of fine writing](http://spoz.blogspot.com): > [@](#): > > here’s one thing that always irks me with online conversations… I’ve never been a believer, a supporter, or a user of the “lol”… y’know, that funny chat abbreviation for “laugh out loud”…? I’ve seen it enough years to’ve had a chance to accept it, yet it still bugs me… coz it somehow seems less a form of “laughter” and more somethin’ drugdealers at raves call their merchandise… “oi ya geeza’s, wanna drop a lol?”. > I do like “rotfl” (rolling on the floor laughing), I have no problems with “ltmheaidafev” (laugh till my head explodes and I develop a flesh-eating virus) or “iho24htldywf?” (I have only 24 hours to live; do you wanna fuck?). > but… “lol” still bugs me, it just looks stupid… > as a result… I’m one of the few people who insists on using “hahahahhahahha” instead… which unfortunately makes me appear to be a gibbering mental patient on too much novacaine… > speaking of such, why is it that most internet chats are seemingly loaded with "lol"s and “rotfl”… are internet conversations really all that crazy with laugh-a-minute excitement? are most internet uses abusing a seriously out’ve control drug habit? there’s no subtlety with the “lol”… > really, wot we need is… “ptfyci” (pretending to find your conversation interesting), “atsau” (attempting to stifle a yawn), “yjs” (your jokes suck)… etc… etc… y’know… develop some widely excepted grey region emoticons… so it doesn’t seem like you’re bursting out in a mutiple g-spot trigger everytime someone tells a lame joke 😉 > sure, this is a meaningless issue to a lot of you… > but seriously, it’s small things like these that if untreated, lead to your children being eaten by killer bees… > let that be a warning to ya! While I don’t quite think that it sounds like a pharmaceutical component, I pretty much agree with most of the rest of it. No problems really with “ROTFL” and that kind of thing, but really… yeesh. F\_X ---
**Author:** ![manwithaplan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@manwithaplan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manwithaplan)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/22 "2003-09-15T08:20:10Z")
Can I hijack this by asking whether anyone has actually sprayed diet coke/coffee/Dr. Pepper etc. over their monitor/keyboard in response to the wit displayed on the boards. Claims of having to reach for the kitchen roll as a result of board content (now, now boys and girls, go and say a decade of the rosary) are made all the time but I have trouble buying it. Far be it from me to discourage responses from any starstruck beverage snorters but I reckon it’s just a trojan horse for those too embarrassed to succumb to their LOL-lovin’ proclivities. I haven’t noticed being knee deep in Guinness at any Dopefests so I’m voting for frustrated LOLers rather than oral incontinents. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/23 "2003-09-15T09:56:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by green\_bladder \* > \*\*Hm, if you say fast enough it sounds like you’re quacking. \*\* \ (_but nobody knows why_) ---
**Author:** ![fizzygoodmakefeelnice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@fizzygoodmakefeelnice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizzygoodmakefeelnice)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/24 "2003-09-15T10:03:21Z")
I dribble sometimes. But thats nothing to do with the boards. ---
**Author:** ![LorieSmurf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a587f6/32.png) [@LorieSmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LorieSmurf)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/25 "2003-09-15T10:41:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mangetout \* > \*\*\ (_but nobody knows why_) \*\* ROFLMFAO 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/26 "2003-09-15T10:47:37Z")
Can someone explain to me what LOLOLOLOLOL is supposed to mean? I assume the writer intends to convey lots of rollicking laughter, but is it: _Laugh Oh Laugh Oh Laugh Oh Laugh Oh Laugh Out Loud_ or _Laugh Out Loud Out Loud Out Loud Out Loud Out Loud_? OK, I’ll admit to occasionally tossing the odd LOL into a chat conversation, but only when I’m too lazy to look for the applicable smiley. I’ve also been known to use hahahaha, bwahahahaha, and hehehehe, but again, only in IM conversatins, never on the boards. Except like now where I obviously just did it. I think I’ve given myself a headache. I’ll stop now. ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/27 "2003-09-15T10:56:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SuperLorie \* > \*\*ROFLMFAO > 😃 \*\* OMFGLOLOLLMAOROTMFFL~^\*!! translation provided upon request 😉 **Fairychatmom** , I think it’s the _laugh out loud out loud out loud_ one. But as to why people just can’t _laugh out **very** loud_, I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/28 "2003-09-15T10:57:52Z")
Every time I see someone type ROFLMAO, I always wonder, “Did you _really_ roll on the floor, laughing your ass off? If so, have you had your meds checked?” I also tend to read the abbreviations (hey, what’s a good word for these emoticon-like abbreviations, anyway?) as they’re written. “hey how r u loll? im gd rofflemaow” It’s like they’ve got a funky form of Tourettes. ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/29 "2003-09-15T11:02:25Z")
I am proud to say I never used “ROFLMAO” I have used “LOL” a few times, but I mostly say “heh heh” ---
**Author:** ![fizzygoodmakefeelnice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@fizzygoodmakefeelnice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizzygoodmakefeelnice)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/30 "2003-09-15T11:08:47Z")
I like to use haaaaaaaa! It sounds loud, blaring and sarcastic. Like a pelican. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/31 "2003-09-15T12:01:08Z")
In defense of lol in IMing – it’s very fast to type, and it’s universally understood. For those of you whose teeth are clenched when I use it with you – let me know, 'k? ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/32 "2003-09-15T12:20:10Z")
I have sprayed coke over the keyboard. Its rare, but it happens. I’ve also fallen out of my chair with the giggles. Not reading this board, and sometimes a glass of wine is involved. The women in my bookclub say “you know its been a good night when Dangerosa falls off her chair.” ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/33 "2003-09-15T12:35:31Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by green\_bladder \* > \*\*OMFGLOLOLLMAOROTMFFL~^_!! > > translation provided upon request 😉 > > **Fairychatmom** , I think it’s the _laugh out loud out loud out loud_ one. But as to why people just can’t _laugh out **very** loud_, I don’t know. \*\* Because **lovl** looks uberweird! ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/34 "2003-09-15T12:38:16Z")
I fell out of my seat in the theater and lay writhing in the aisle while seeing the movie **Short Circuit** in the theater. ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/35 "2003-09-15T12:45:39Z")
**OpalCat** : Do you remember which scene? ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/36 "2003-09-15T13:07:36Z")
I didn’t spew my cup of tea over the keyboard while reading this. I did, however, laugh to myself, and managed to such a little tea down the wrong way, causing me to cough. My favorite thing recently along these lines is the Evil Laugh: BWA-HA-HA-HAH! or the variant MWAH-HA-HA-HAH! I love those. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/37 "2003-09-15T13:09:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mrsface \* > \*\*I’ve no idea whether Dopers’ admirable avoidance of LOL follows an edict from on high, or whether it’s a mutual thing, but anyway, this is to say thanks for your discrimination and style. \*\* Do you have any memory of the lol hazing from your secret SDMB initiation ceremony? If you don’t, I can’t wait to call together the rest of the l33t SDMB Clique to let them know that little flashy thingy really works! ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/38 "2003-09-15T15:44:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by green\_bladder \* > \*\ ***OpalCat** : Do you remember which scene? \*\* No… hey, it was 17 years ago! ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/39 "2003-09-15T16:14:31Z")
To add an air of elegance to my online conversations, I use: YVDGS _Yes, very droll, good sir!_ ---
**Author:** ![Capcha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Capcha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capcha)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649/40 "2003-09-15T16:31:54Z")
Well i sometimes use ‘Lol’ if i’m on chat with friends, and the occasional “lmfao” (i capitalize it if i’m really bellyaching)…but no “lololololololol”-ing from me… but yeah, i have one contact that keeps putting lol at the end of every line she types, and a lot of 😃 or ;). I mean, it’s great if you’re happy and all but stop that annoying shit already… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-thanks-for-being-a-lol-free-zone/201649.md?page=3)