It's original
definition was "Laughing out loud" (also written occasionally as "Lots of Laughs"), used as a brief acronym to denote great amusement in chat conversations.
Now, it is overused to the point where nobody laughs out loud when they say it. In fact, they probably don't even give a shit about what you just wrote. More accurately, the acronym "lol" should be redefined as "Lack of laughter."
Depending on the chatter, its
definition may vary. The list of its meanings includes, but is not limited to:
1) "I have nothing worthwhile to contribute to this conversation."
2) "I'm too
lazy to read what you just wrote so I'm typing something
useless in hopes that you'll think I'm still paying attention."
3) "Your statement lacks even the vaguest trace of humor but I'll pretend I'm amused."
4) "This is a pointless acronym I'm sticking in my sentence just because it's become so engraved into my mind that when chatting, I MUST use the meaningless sentence-filler 'lol.'"
See: lmao, lmfao, rofl,
lawl, heh, haha, lolol, and 120 for similarities.
Statement: Sorry if I'm not too cheery, my
best friend just died yesterday.
Worthless Reply: lol
Statement: The golden ratio is truely an intersting aspect of not only mathematics, but art as well.
Worthless Reply: lol
Statement: ... And then he says, "Your
mom goes to
college!"
Worthless Reply: lol
Statement: Hey, are you doing anything tonight? You could come over to my house and play some Unreal Tournie...
Worthless Reply: lol, ok
