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LOL :) -- A Guide to Internet Lingo and Emoticons

With just a few keystrokes, you can quickly convey laughter, disbelief, and other complex emotions on the Net. Here's the lingo you need to know.

James A. Martin

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Hooting and Hollering

gfete Grinning from ear to ear

Indicates mild amusement in which minimal dental work is displayed.

lmao Laughing my ankles off

The third word can also refer to another body part.

lol Laughing out loud

An appropriate response to a humorous statement. Alas, it doesn't necessarily mean lots of love.

rotfl Rolling on the floor laughing

Use when you couldn't possibly be more amused. Unless you're rotflmao, of course.

Opining and Informing

aamof As a matter of fact

Though in cyberspace, the fact could just as well be fiction.

afaik As far as I know

Use when you really don't know, but want to appear as if you do.

Variations: afaic (as far as I'm concerned), afaict (as far as I can tell).

btw By the way

A kissin' cousin to fyi (for your information) and fwiw (for what it's worth).

damhikt Don't ask me how I know this

For those obscure factoids your friends tease you for remembering.

eod End of discussion

Use EOD after the 163,456th chat-room message about the new Star Wars trailer.

hth Hope this (or that) helps

imho In my humble (or honest) opinion

Commonly used to preface unsolicited advice, such as "If I were you, I would dump your no-account girlfriend immediately."

Variations: imnsho (in my not so humble opinion), imco (in my considered opinion).

ianalb I am not a lawyer, but...

As in, "IANALB I play one on TV."

j/k Just kidding

Best used when combined with the :) emoticon. For more on the world of emoticons, see Everyday Emoticons.

ot Off topic

A polite way of saying kiss (keep it simple, stupid).

otoh On the other hand

Indicates you were once a member of the high school debate team.

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