When does LOL become part of the normal lexicon?

You know before the school kids invented their own shortcut language. The grownups (”the establishment”) have had their own lingo for years. Maybe not as much of it. And certainly not for such common speech as “laughing out loud” and “rolling on the floor”. But think about it. “IOU” stands for “I Own You”. The “You” part isn’t even the first letter, is it? I’ve been hearing “FYI” for a few decades now. And of course most of our federal branches are all abbreviated down to three letter names. FBI, NSA, CIA, IRS, DOD, DOJ, and so on. Back in the 90s, they were even flirting with calling the President PotUS. But it didn’t really catch on, so I think they dropped it. Besides, it was too great a temptation to leave out the “ot” part. And let’s not forget about the shortcuts used on Wallstreet. CEO, CFO, COO, NYSE, S&P, NASDAQ, etc.

And the institutions of higher learning should not complain. After all they’ve had such terms as ACT, SAT, PSAT, NMSQT, PTA, and I’m sure there are more. Let’s face it, this has been a case of “the adults can do this, but not the kids”. The kids have to learn everything the hard, complete, and proper way, first. Spelling out every word from memory (without a word processor). Doing long division, by hand. Paying for their lunch without a credit card (or has that changed?). You get my point. But really!

They stress why english grammer and spelling must be so perfect. And then US presidents and rock stars, succeed big time with poor or nonexistant grammer. Besides, until the politicians reform our economy. The only thing kids need to learn is how to flip hamburgers or point an M16. Only a tiny percentage of them are destine to be doctors. And talk about poor handwriting skills. Ever try to read a doctor’s perscription? There’s a life and death reason for having good handwriting, and yet so few do. Some drugs’ names are only a couple letters different from each other. And doctors abbreviate dosage information plenty! But don’t let your kids use abbreviations, that Webster hasn’t approved of. Not until the graduate, and become doctors or lawyer. Then they can adopt that profession’s weird lingo.

WTF?

#2 WTF are you talking about????

IIRC, We (the ones that started using internet chat rooms like compuserve and older chat relays) were the ones that starting using this acronyms and smilies, not today’s youth. They’re just using the same things we did. They might be expanding it and replacing everyday grammar out of lazyness or lack of social skills, but not creating it

YMMV, but you’re either a n00b or are sad sob. LMAO @ U

When it becomes commonly used especially after being included in reputable dictionaries.

I checked. “lol” has not made it to Websters (yet).

But as Marshall McLuhan said “The medium is the message.”

This early work is actually right on point:

http://tinyurl.com/3ym58l

It would be even more remarkable if people did not use acronyms when typing on small devices.

I wanted to say verbal skills rather than social ones.

#2: “They stress why english grammer and spelling must be so perfect.”

That’s “English grammar.” You’re welcome.

My Mother in Law thought LOL meant “lots of love” and would always end her emails, no matter the subject, LOL.
“Going to see Grandma in the hospital…LOL”

#13, As in Erin Moran, who played Joanie on Happy Days?

Any time you run across any net slang, just check out the Urban Dictionary. It will almost always be in there.

#19, Thank you!! I did not know that!