Not all “LOLs” are created equal. The nuances of acronyms used to convey laughter and amusement have become so layered that we can never tell who is actually being emotionally affected by our words. We’ve done some scientific research into each LOL-esque acronym, phrase, and nonsensical combination of keys struck by a person under the influence, and here are a few of our findings on what exactly each way we LOL really means.
1. LOL
This was funny. I laughed, even if it was under my breath or completely inaudible. I laughed. You got a laugh, out loud.
2. lmao
I may not think what you said was literal laugh out loud worthy, but I appreciate and respect you as a human being, my friend. lmao always.
3. LMAO
This was LOL worthy, but the volume of my laughter surprised me. As my little fingers tapped my screen to respond to you, I felt compelled to share my spontaneous joy with you, friend. LMAO indeed.
4. lollllll
Am I high right now? Answer y/n.
5. lolz
That would be worthy of a real laugh if I weren’t totally void of all emotion from staring at my computer screen for the past seven hours.
6. lol.
Whatever you said is a big no. Things between us are tenuous. I didn’t include this punctuation for my health. Take note. Something evil this way comes.
7. Lol
I found what you said to be mildly amusing, but irl I did not even smile.
8. ha
Yeah, that would be funny, but it is not the time right now. Did you even listen to what I just said about my life? No, you just said “damn” and then sent me a Buzzfeed post about cats or Twin Peaks or something. Ha. Tight.
9. haha
In real life, I would smile and kind of exhale at you, as if to say, “oh, you!”
10. HAHA
EITHER I ACCIDENTALLY HIT CAPS LOCK OR WHAT YOU SAID WAS VERY FUNNY, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW.
11. hahahahahaha
I smiled, at best. But it was a gracious, appreciative smile, not some jerk-off smirk. I was like, yeah, I feel you, I like you, and I want you to know as demonstrated by my putting two letters together in succession.
12. bahahaahah
We are great friends and you just hit the best of our inside jokes and now I am practically rolling on the floor laughing, but not ROFL, because ROFL doesn’t mean I’m laughing.
13. ha.
Fuck you. Fuck you and fuck what you just said. Lose my number, asshole.
14. HA
Love you. Love what you just said. God, you are such an asshole. I love that we are both total dicks.
15. DEAD
Whatever you just said was so on point and perfect that I may as well been shot dead right this fucking second because nothing is better than what you said and I should die happy.
16. lol’ing
I ACTUALLY LAUGHED BUT NOW I AM DONE LAUGHING, LOL.
17. aaayyyyy lmao
If before 12PM: damn, what you said was real as hell and I’m planning on laughing and sharing this funny thing you said with others. Anytime after 12PM: I am definitely high/tipsy right now, y/n? Wait, nvm. Not a question. I am def high aaayy lmao!
18. CRYING
I am not crying but I would if this were an in-person interaction.
19. HAHAHHDAGAFSTFSFSBSSHAHAHAAAGDHDSLL;Llksaj
I AM IN PUBLIC AND I CANNOT CONTROL ANYTHING SOS
20. haaaaaaaaaaaaaa
The irony or deep twisted sadness or totally expected bummer is real in whatever you said. I am literally hanging my head right now, exhaling through my nose, like “psh, haaaaaaa. Bet.”
21. hehe
Funny, but in such a way that I wouldn’t reblog or retweet or repeat what you said.
22. heh
YOU ARE DEAD TO ME.
23. omg
Mildly funny, amusing, shocking, etc. I don’t know. I am typing a response. Stop typing. I am figuring out exactly how funny it is. I don’t know what to do. Stop typing. Omg.
24. omfg
Very shocking, pretty amusing, etc. I AM SHOCKED BUT I LUH U. That, or I am v annoyed with whatever you told me because it is about someone else who is really grrrrrrinding my gears this week, omfg what a stupid expression I hate everything. Lol, tho.
25. omgggggggg
What you said is probably the most offensive or disgusting thing that was also funny and now I’m rethinking my friendship with you, but also kind of not, because you’re my crazy hilarious Chelsea Handler type friend.
26. alol
I just made this up as a way to actually signify, among all these acronyms, the one time I am ACTUALLY laughing out loud FOR REAL I swear I REALLY AM.
27. almao
Eh, I’m still not laughing out loud even though I made this acronym up to signify I am laughing out loud. I suck.
28. rofl
This joke has been done before. Just stop trying. This is a clear sign that this rapport is over. Check, please.
29. lulz
Did I get high AGAIN? Is this a comment thread? Where tf am I?
30. STOP!
Yep, officially DYING. YOU ARE FUNNY. I AM LAUGHING. THIS IS GREAT.
31. lmfao
I am bemused. I giggled. I smiled with my face. I might think about this later, as I drift to sleep, and smile to myself like, “damn, lmfao, still.”
32. OMG
YES. What you just said is so much YES. I agree and I am about to throw you a laugh, IRL and possibly with a follow-up acronym.
33. lawwwwl
I’m rotating between tabs and emails and texts and what you just said was related to something I watched two days ago, but I appreciate you and the way you understand my humor.
34. lololololol
This is new information; this video, this idea, this take on something from our past, this piece of amusement that you have shared with me. I am like Jack Skellington, singing “what’s this?!” to our shared comedy.
35. I’m actually laughing
You made me laugh and I did not expect you to do so. No other acronym could convey my joy, my unadulterated laughter. Did we just become best friends? I think I’m in love with you. 
