Usually, the acronym “LOL” indicates you’ve just written something funny. Yet since its adoption into the Oxford English Dictionary in 1997 it too quickly became a ubiquitous feature of millennial texting and tweeting. While many use it to convey amusement or entertainment, its application raises questions about appropriateness and understanding in digital conversations.
Interestingly, “LOL” is not universally embraced. According to a recent survey, “61% of Americans said they dislike people who send texts while they walk. All of this extends to their use of acronyms such as FTA. In addition to this, though it’s well used, (79% of respondents admitted they tend to tune out when a message starts with “LOL.” This disconnect reveals an increasing ambivalence to the term.
The irony surrounding “LOL” is notable. It can even be used ironically, such as in the example, “That was an ironic LOL, of course. This dual usage complicates its interpretation, causing some to outright abuse it. A prime example of this is former UK Prime Minister David Cameron. He had previously thought “LOL” meant “lots of love,” and even used it to sign off his messages to Rebekah Brooks.
On more formal communications, whenever possible we would hard discourage the use of LOL. For example, a salutation like “Happy Valentine’s Day, Samantha, ROFL!” would fail the test for being overly casual. This underscores the far-reaching effects of careless language on clear communication and the dangers of informal language during complex, sensitive dialogues.
“LOL” can be fun shorthand for the laugh between friends that keep you connected. It’s arguably responsible for a lot of very public cringing by people who have misread it. The homophony with “loll,” which refers to a dog’s jouncing gait, doesn’t help the confusion. This is extremely difficult for any non-practitioner of texting culture.
People’s opinions on “LOL” vary significantly. Yet for others it’s such an important aspect of their communicative swagger that they embrace it entirely or try to at least. The evolution of language in the digital age has brought terms like “LOL” into the vernacular, but it raises questions about clarity and appropriateness in different contexts.