Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm all about the laughing. I think that humor is one of the best qualities that a person can possess (well aside from kindness, empathy and all that other crap). About a year ago, I even held a little contest on my blog asking people to send me their good, bad & funny photos. Then I put the photos into my blender for a quick toss (a la Lotto) and
picked a winner. Video
here. It was not hilarious, trust me. It was just for some much-needed levity
when my Dad was near the end of his life. Given the fact that he was, in fact a comedy writer, I come by my love of humor honestly.
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| Sharing a laugh with my good friends, Linda & Rudy |
Speaking of humor, I have noticed that when I send emails or make comments on Twitter, Facebook or blogs, that I have slightly different terms for my laughter, based on the situation. Here is my personal laughter cheat sheet:
- LOL- Laugh Out Loud. I never actually use this, but I have nothing against it. I know certain people feel that any man who uses it should have his member cut off, but my feelings about it are more neutral. I've even heard that some people say it aloud, like with their outside voice. My question: Are they saying "El Oh El" or "Lawl"? Inquiring minds want to know. Example: Derek just went to pet Ellie after she covered herself in spit LOL" Question: Should Chaz Bono be allowed to use LOL?
- LOLZ- This is the multiple orgasm of written laughter. I thought that I had previously stumbled upon a resource that implied that LOLZ was a sarcastic form of LOL and I started using it in that way. But in my recent and extensive (ha!) research for this post, I could not corroborate that theory. So, it would appear that LOLZ is just LOL X 2 or 3. My example: "In that Instagram photo, you look like a constipated lesbian LOLZ".
- LOLOLOL- The extra "out louds" imply extra hilarity. Example: "Ellie just ate Sam's barf, LOLOLOL!"
- Ha! (Notice that I used used this above). That is my way of implying sarcasm with a laugh. It's a short burst, with the head tossed back for emphasis: "Ha!" And it implies that if you believe what you just read, you're more gullible than I thought. Example: "I did extensive (ha!) research for this post."
- Hahah! That is my actual laugh. No, really, that's exactly how I laugh, so if you see me write it, I'm really laughing. Example: "Derek loves to drink a frou-frou cocktail with an umbrella in it, hahaha."
- Bahaha! I often interchange with with Hahaha, except perhaps with a slight burst of laughter to begin with (hence the "b" in Bahaha). Example: "Someone just used the word awesomesauce and they weren't referring to ketchup. Bahahah!"
- Bwaahahah! I use this when I'm feeling a bit evil. Example: "I put cauliflower in Derek's Shepherd's Pie and he had no clue, bwahahaha"
- Heh heh. Same as Bwaahahha. Implies evilness. "I put pureed Brussels sprouts in Derek's Sag aloo and he couldn't tell, heh heh"
- Har har. You've probably thought something was funny but I didn't. "Ellie, why did you eat my bikini strap off? Do you want me to go topless in Maui? Well, har har."
- Heeeeee. This is a laugh with a side of silliness or excitement. Example: "I just got Ellie a new Skull & Crossbones collar, heeee"
- Tee Hee: This is my written giggle. Either I'm trying to be coy or ladylike (a tall order). Likely something is not laugh-out-loud/pee-in-your-pants funny, but it's giggle-worthy. Example: "I let out a fart in yoga today...tee hee." It can also imply cheeky-ness "I shouldn't be so mean, sneaking healthy food into my husband's dishes, tee hee."
- ROFL: Roll on the Floor Laughing. I've never used this and I prefer ROLF as it's an aggressive massage. But did you know that there's a ROFL Coptor? Me neither! Thanks Wikepedia!
Q: Which laughing terms to you use the most and in what circumstances...please to give examples too!
25 comments:
I use LOL when typing...it gets the point across and it's not so obscure that people then write BACK to me asking what I am talking about...you'd be surprised how many questions on really small stuff or it seems obvious to me, but I guess it's not! stuff I get :)
Love the post. Laughter is awesome!
I just LOLZ'D X 400! This is so perfect! I use most of these "terms" in the exact way. As a matter of fact, I wrote "tee-hee" the other day (using in a coy context) and then wondered if it was ever used much since I mainly only see LOL or LOLZ. One I also have used is "Squeee!", as in a squealing excited laugh.
I love "Bwah ha ha" as well and I use it for hearty laughter or the evil laugh.
I just love all of those laughing pictures - especially of Janetha and Eden!
Laughter helps so much- with so much bad around us, funny is good and this helped my day to begin with a well needed LOL.
Missy
I experimented with the LOL and it just didn't sit right. Lately it's been "hahaha" and HAHAHAHAH! capitals equal more funny.
thanks for a great post to lighten my mood! studying does a number on me - i needed to laugh!
i don't use laughter terms too often, but i'm a smiley-face whore! i throw those babies out there like a sorority girl at a justin beiber concert! :) :) :)
When I laugh or others around me laugh it's like a lightness enters the room. Laughing is awesome :)
I use LOL when commenting on blogs and via text messages but I know that it kind of bothers people so I try to minimize it. But seriously, typing "I'm totally laughing" takes too much effort sometimes.
Apparently I need to make more of an effort to laugh and less of an effort worrying about what people think about my Internet shorthand!!
Ha ha ha ha - a funny text either sending or receiving
Hehehehehe - when I'm being cheeky!
Mahahahaha - when I'm being evil!
i really needed to "hear" your laughter today. Now if only I could get it IRL!
I SO needed this today and probably will reread it when I need a laughter reminder and to watch that video!
I love when other people's laughter is contagious. I was laughing with Austin.
Never liked LOL, LOLZ, LMAO etc. Took me forever to figure it out. Used to think LOL was "Lots of Laughter" and well, you just taught me what LOLZ means.
Classic that your dad was a comedy writer. My brother does stand up and writes comedy as his "side job" not to mention used to have the family rolling when we all lived at home.
i'm pretty good about laughing at myself and the absurdity of life and people taking themselves too seriously makes me laugh and I'll chortle a bit when I'm by myself and think of something funny.
Averie- glad you don't have to explain LOL! :-)
MissY- yes, I've seen Squeee (Charlotte GFE uses it!)
Cameo- Capitals definitely makes a point!
Teabag- YES I'm a smiley faced whore too! Woo!
Heather- you are right-laughter brings lightness.
Ameena- yah, saying. 'wow i'm laughing so hard I almost peed my pants' is much more of a pain than lolol etc ;-)
Tam-Cheeky! Yes, I believe it!
Linds- aww sweet <3 One day IRL.
McIntosh- My fave part of the video is the awkwardness at the end- that alone makes me LOL. Oh right I forgot about LMAO (pg-rated blog ya know) Cool about your brother. And LOVE the word Chortle!
Hhahaha! I love this!
Now you know my favorite term is "hahahaha" or "wahahaha" or "baahahaha" depending on my mood. The more jumbled up the word is, like "hhadhahahaadha!" that means I'm laughing harder. Shaking with laughter, in fact, so much that I can't type straight.
When I use LOL, I may not actually be laughing out loud, but I definitely am amused and chuckling inside. But you know, sometimes you're just too lazy to actually laugh out loud you know? It's the inside that counts, right?
I also use "tee hee" a lot, that is when I just said something like an inside joke or self-deprecating or self-complimenting. Yeah, it's all very confusing. But "tee hee" is only ever used when I'm in a good mood.
"Hee hee hee" is a sheepish laugh for me. I use it when I'm feeling sheepish. Baa.
I never use "LOLZ." If I ever use it, stay away, I'm probably 1) turned insane or 2) about to kill someone.
Great post!!! Laughter is totally the best medicine! I love to laugh :)
Sophia! Love the image of you shaking so hard with laughter that you can't type straight- I LOL'd at your comment, but really out loud, notthe way you use it- like a muted 'ha that's amusing' sort of way. Loved that!
iheartveg- good call! Thanks for the comment!
I love Dr. Evil. There's a guy here at work that always makes Hot Pockets, so we have to reinact the Hot Pocket scene a couple times a day.
As for conveying laughter in email, I NEVER LOL or anything like that. I don't know why, but it just seriously grates on my nerves. Now you know I'm sarcastic as hell, so I think I've come to rely on Ha! and winking emoticons so people don't bitch me out (although they still do.)
But seriously...is there anything better than a really great laugh that you simply can't stop? The kind that comes on spontaneously at the most inopportune time imaginable? I wish you could plan those, I would participate every freaking second ;)
I am known to utter the phrase "hearty har har".....
Kind of embarassing:)
"In that Instagram photo, you look like a constipated lesbian LOLZ". That just made my whole day. Got a LOLZ, tee hee, har har, and a Bahaha out of me.
Loved this post Deb. :)
Laughing IS the best! Have you ever tried "laughter therapy"? You get a bunch of people and lay so everyone's head is on someone else's stomach (yeah, it's a little awkward at first) but then one person starts laughing and everyone else just has to. It was an amazing experience.
MOIST
Oh my goodness.. this is such a detailed guide! I am bookmarking it so I can refer back and make sure I use the proper terminology. Holy crap. I love you, DUDE.
I always use bwahahah because of you.
Also.. honored to have made a cameo :)
Abby- OK, I'm totally embarrassed. I thought that I had every single Dr. Evil quote in my head, but I had to google 'hot pocket' and 'dr evil'. Then I LOLd remembering it! Forgot the Eggo part too! LOVED those movies!!
Heather- I LOVE hearty har har! Very sarcastic. Love.
Heabs- oh I'm glad you liked it- it was based on an inside joke with Eden on Instagram and I thought after I posted it that no one would think it's funny- you made my day! :-) You should join our little instagram group- so much fun!
Charlotte- like a laughter circle- fun!
Eden- bhahahaha! Nuff said.
Janetha- your cameo was a highlight!
What about the evil laugh? Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!!
Leslie- THAT is probably my very favorite laugh!
I love that, isn't it funny how many ways there are to laugh via social networks??? so funny... love the laughing photos!
hahahahaha i'm really laughing and that's really my computer laugh for when i laugh at computer things. i feel like the actual hahaha is the realest of them all and can i tell you i HATE "lol" like hate it. i feel like it's a shun laugh like i don't really want to being laughing at what you're saying and i'd actually like for you to go away but here "lol"
I like LMAO when something strikes me as really funny.
Both of my boys just won "best sense of humor" in each of their classes. Each teachers picked them without knowing the other was getting the same award. They get it from their mother. ;-)
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