I hate the 'lol' used on the Internet. Does anyone else feel this way?

Question

They are others used, but this one invariably has me feeling 'irked' when I read it ...it's a little like the over-used 'canned laughter' tracks that American TV 'HAS' to use.

I watched an episode of the series M.A.S.H. a few months back in the States (I hadn't seen it in a long time) ....and I was puzzled! I couldn't figure out what it was that was 'Wrong' with it. Then it dawned on me, 'Canned laughter' which spoilt the pleasure of it for me (having seen it at home in the UK without that 'laughter' track).

Some years ago I went as a member of the audience to a BBC radio programe (it was a live broadcast, I think!) Overhead were signs which lit up telling you 'when to applude' / 'when to laugh.'

Why not employ someone like a 'Conductor,' maybe dressed like a clown'!

I never went to another.

Answer 1

i hate 'lol' with a passion. it wouldn't be so bad if people only used it when they do actually laugh out loud, but its every where. if i read something that makes me laugh, i write *chuckle* and if someone writes lol in a response to my message, i ask if they really did. i just feel it is really impersonal, a kind of after thought that is over used. the canned laughter really does annoy me, its kind of scary too because people dont bat an eye at being told what is meant to be funny?? society already has so much control in the name of civilisation and progression - have to go to school, only pee in designated places, how loud you can have music - the list is endless and now we are told what we find funny and its scary that people just abide like little sheep. humour is one of the few things we have a little control over - even then we are only allowed to publically find politically correct stuff funny- now people are laughing on demand........anyone else find this a bit daunting??

Answer 2

I know what you're saying about the " canned " laughter and it is so artificial it's irritating. Yet, I happen to like the lol and use it frequently when communicating online. If you cant see the person you are talking to these little abbreviations are very helpful. I happen to have a dry wit and sometimes people aren't sure whether i'm joking or not. 9 times out of 10 if they can see my facial expressions they know immediately, but if i'm online, I need the lol rofl pmsl etc to indicate the humour. So sorry, can't agree with you LOL

Answer 3

I tend to agree that it is much overused - just as much so as the little nervous tic laughs that some people insert into the narrative when they are telling a story. Occasionaly it becomes very irritating when one realises that they do it out of habit rather than out of any genuine amusement at what they are saying.

I have to say that I use 'lol' myself perhaps more than I ought to. I try to restrict it to 'chatting' online, when I believe it does indicate a tone of voice - more of a chuckle - rather than an actual 'laugh out loud'. It does rather depend who I am talking to, I find. If my correspondent uses 'lol' a lot, then I will tend to use it more; if they tend to use 'hehe' or '' or '' then I will use it less.

For a while now I have been in fear of the acute embarrasment of actually SAYING 'lol' while speaking to someone! I am glad to say that it hasn't happened yet, lol!

Answer 4

LOL always just makes me think of a head falling about.
I only really find it annoying now when people use it all the time, like at the ends of sentences or just in random places when something isn't very funny.

If the people who used LOL actually Laughed Out Loud as much as they say they are, they'd probably be considered quite insane.

Answer 5

It used to bother me, but I'm used to the abbreviation now.

I think it's a good idea to have something to tell people you're joking or something is meant in good humor. Otherwise it's hard to tell whether someone is kidding or being really psychotic. General conversation on the net doesn't reveal emotion. It isn't grammatically correct by far, but it might help someone avoid an otherwise sticky situation. That's the best way to think of it.

Answer 6

I like using the word because it simply sounds much better than a literal typed down laughter like "hahahahahaha" or the word itself "chuckle chuckle".

Infact I use it a "little to much" and have now almost said it to people infront of me!! On many an occasion I have found myself having to zip my lips just to stop saying the word "lol" instead of actually laughing lol. Oops sorry :P, but yea its just convenient.

Answer 7

I agree that we Americans are addicted to "canned laughter". I simply say lol, instead of l-o-l like my friends, and the others act as if I'm uncivilised. I might mention I am not a huge fan of AIM. My peers seem so attached to this travesty of laughter. "lol" doesn't do it. You need REAL laughter to convey that feeling of funniness.

Answer 8

It's easier than writing "Laugh Out Loud" I don't know why you have a problem wanting to write something that easier to type.
If a laugh track and "lol" gets you fired up, you need help. You'll probably like Saturday Night Live.

Answer 9

I was a dumb a.s.s and thought it meant Lots of Love and a term of endearment til very recently. So yes it annoys me but I now use it all the time. But canned laughter is the pits.

Answer 10

Who cares? It's just an acronym for laughter. LOL. Something's funny. Big deal!