Quantcast
PCWorld.com is upgrading some back-end systems. Some site features, such as user registration, may be temporarily unavailable.
Subscribe to magazine

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

  • 0 Yes
  • 0 No

When someone tells you a hilarious joke, you're likely to respond by slapping your thigh, throwing your head back, and chortling with abandon. Should you discover that same joke in your e-mail in-box, however, you're likely to respond with LOL, LMAO, ROTFL, or in the event of extreme mirth, by ROTFLMAO.

If you're new to chat rooms, instant messaging, or e-mail, the above acronyms may seem vaguely official or even intimidating. Relax. Those particular alphabet-soup concoctions simply mean laughing out loud (LOL), rolling on the floor laughing (ROTFL), and laughing my, er, ankles off (LMAO). They're just a few examples of the everyday cyberspace shorthand used to convey laughter and anger, approval and disapproval, love and hate--and everything in between--with a few quick keystrokes.

In addition to acronyms, cyberspace slang also consists of an almost endless assortment of emoticons. An emoticon is a combination of letters, symbols, or numbers that paint a picture (often when viewed sideways). For instance, :) is one of the most popular emoticons, used to represent a smiley face. If :) still doesn't make sense, tilt your head to the left.

Acronyms and emoticons have become the hieroglyphics of a hurried generation. They're informal, often clever, and they save time. But they aren't always appropriate. For instance, sprinkling emoticons throughout a message to a potential employer isn't a good idea--unless the employer is an 18-year-old chat-room habitué. And like any slang, the use of acronyms and emoticons can make those who don't know them feel excluded. So always be considerate about where you use Internet shorthand--and how often.

The following glossary will help you decipher the most commonly used acronyms and emoticons. Plus, we've thrown in a few favorite, exotic examples of each. And because we just couldn't stop ourselves, we've come up with a few pop-culture-inspired acronyms we'd like to see. The possibilities are endless, but if you use your own home-grown acronyms or emoticons, don't forget to explain them to your readers.

  • Recommend this story?
  • 0 Yes
    0 No
  • Great year-end deals
    for small business!

  • Get 24/7 live remote AT&T Tech Support 360* service along with select Lenovo* PCs (with Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processors) and save up to 200!

    Learn more

  • HP EliteBook* 6930p Notebook with Intel® vPro™ technology and a free HP Basic Docking Station - $641 instant savings!

    Learn more

  • *Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. ©2009 Intel Corporation. Intel, the Intel logo, vPro and Core trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries. All rights reserved.

Dell Laptop Deals

Focus on Personal Productivitysponsored by Microsoft

  • Personal Finance 2.0 These free and fee-based Web services not only aggregate data from your online bank accounts, they give you tools for managing your money.
  • High-Tech Travel Tips Plenty of stories provide advice for elite mobile professionals. But what about you, the unproductive traveler?

People who read this also read:

  • 15 Minutes to a Secure Business Get the Secure in 15 toolkit starting with the "15 Minutes Month-at-a-Glance" calendar. McAfee will send you additional tools and tricks to stay protected around the clock.
  • A Buyer's Guide to Data Protection Implementing data protection products and processes can be daunting. Make the right decisions by exploring what is available and what makes sense for your organization. Use this simple guide to evaluate different vendor offerings.

Sponsored Links