Internet
lol
What does lol mean?
Stands for "laughing out loud," used to indicate amusement or that something is funny. Over time it has softened into a general marker of lightheartedness rather than literal laughter.
"You sent that email to the whole company by accident? LOL, that's rough."
Origin
Attributed to bulletin-board users in the early-to-mid 1980s; first documented in the FidoNews newsletter in May 1989. Added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2011.
Frequently asked questions
What does LOL mean?
LOL stands for "laughing out loud" and is used to show that something is funny or to keep a message lighthearted.
Does LOL always mean someone is really laughing?
No. It has softened over time into a general marker of amusement or friendliness, and is often typed without any actual laughter.
Where did LOL come from?
It goes back to bulletin-board users in the early-to-mid 1980s and was first documented in the FidoNews newsletter in May 1989. The OED added it in 2011.
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