LOL
Meaning
An acronym commonly used in digital communication to express amusement or that something is very funny.
Origin
The story of "LOL" begins not in ancient texts or dusty battlefields, but in the nascent digital frontier of the 1980s. Picture the early internet, where text-based communication reigned supreme in forums and particularly on Internet Relay Chat (IRC). Here, conversations were fast-paced, often witty, and devoid of the visual cues that convey emotion in face-to-face interactions. Users needed a quick, efficient way to signal amusement. Amidst a flurry of acronyms like "BRB" (be right back) and "BTW" (by the way), "LOL"—short for "laughing out loud"—emerged as a clear, punchy indicator of mirth. It wasn't long before this simple shorthand transcended its techy origins, leaping from computer screens into everyday speech, solidifying its place as a universal signifier of digital humor.
Examples
- I just saw the funniest video of a dog trying to catch its own tail, I literally LOLed.
- She sent a text about her embarrassing moment at the party, and I couldn't help but LOL.