Laugh out loud, commonly abbreviated as LOL, is an initialism that stands for laughing out loud or laugh out loud. It is used in electronic communications to indicate amusement, laughter, or that something is funny. LOL is very commonly used in messaging, texting, online chat, and on social media platforms. It’s meant to signal that the statement preceding it is intended to be humorous or lighthearted. But what does LOL really mean when used in the context of dolls?
The Origins of LOL
LOL originated in the 1980s during the early days of the internet when real-time chatrooms and bulletin boards were first introduced. It was used to indicate humor or jokes in typed conversations where vocal cues and body language were absent. The earliest documented use of LOL comes from a May 1989 post on a Usenet newsgroup. But the term really took off with the surge in popularity of text messaging and instant messaging in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
During the rise of texting, LOL became a widely used expression to indicate laughing out loud virtually. It was commonly included in messages and conversations to signal amusement at something funny or as a general marker of lighthearted intent.
LOL in the Context of Dolls
When used in reference to dolls, LOL can have a few different meanings:
1. Anthropomorphization of dolls
Attributing human characteristics and behaviors to non-human entities like dolls is called anthropomorphization. Using LOL in sentences describing what a doll is doing anthropomorphizes the doll by assigning it the very human action of laughing out loud.
For example:
- “The doll LOLed at the silly joke.”
- “My doll found that joke so funny she LOLed.”
This gives the doll the human ability to understand and find humor in something. The LOL signifies the doll appears to be laughing even though it lacks the capacity to actually do so.
2. Amusement at doll play
LOL is often used to express the amusement of the person playing with a doll rather than attributing laughing out loud to the doll itself. For example:
- “LOL, my doll just fell off the bed!”
- “I can’t stop laughing at my doll’s crazy dance moves. LOL!”
Here the LOL indicates the doll owner finds humor in the doll’s antics and imaginary scenarios even though the doll itself lacks any emotions.
3. Shared understanding
Within doll enthusiast communities, using LOL serves as shorthand to indicate a shared understanding. For example, among collectors and crafters LOL might communicate:
- “LOL, another doll customized with hot glue clothing!”
- “The tangled hair on this doll makes me LOL every time.”
These LOLs refer to humorous topics and situations frequently encountered when working with dolls that other doll fans would immediately recognize. The LOL signifies an inside joke or feeling understood by others who share the same hobby.
When LOL is Used with Dolls
There are several common situations and contexts where LOL tends to be used in relation to dolls:
Playing with dolls
LOL is often used when playing with dolls, especially among children. Assigning LOL to a doll’s actions or responding with LOL to silly doll scenarios allows kids to play out imaginative stories and humorous moments with their toys.
Doll mishaps
When dolls experience funny “bloopers” like losing a wig or falling over, owners will use LOL to convey their delight at the unplanned comedic moment.
Customizing/crafting dolls
Doll customizers and crafters will use LOL when sharing photos of dolls styled or customized in amusing ways, like over-the-top makeup or outrageous outfits.
Collecting dolls
Among doll collectors, LOL communicates a shared understanding of topics like strange vintage dolls with unusual features or the challenges of doll maintenance.
Doll photography
When capturing posed doll photos, LOL can describe funny or whimsical concepts, like dolls participating in silly activities.
Variation in Meaning
The meaning of LOL changes somewhat based on who is using it and the context. A few examples:
- A child playing with a doll uses LOL literally to imagine the doll finds something funny.
- A doll collector uses LOL to bond over the oddities of doll collecting.
- A doll crafter uses LOL when somethingunexpectedly funny happens to a doll.
So LOL can indicate imagined doll emotions, shared experiences, or unplanned doll humor depending on the situation.
Common Alternatives to LOL
Certain slang terms and acronyms are frequently used as alternatives to LOL in doll contexts:
- LMAO – Laughing my ass off
- ROFL – Rolling on the floor laughing
- Haha
- Hahaha
These all function similarly to LOL, conveying amusement and lightheartedness. LMAO and ROFL emphasize more intense laughter whereas “haha” and “hahaha” simply mimic the sound of laughter. But LOL remains the most ubiquitous and recognized expression to signify something is funny or silly.
Interpreting LOL
It’s important not to read too much into LOL – it generally just signals that the preceding statement is humorous or lighthearted. Unless used excessively, LOL does not necessarily indicate hysterical laughter. The meaning can range from a mild chuckle to an amused giggle to moderate laughter, depending on context. LOL is also sometimes used sarcastically, so that meaning must also be derived from context.
Conclusion
LOL is used with dolls to attribute imagined laughter, convey amusement at doll play, illustrate shared experiences, or communicate unplanned funny moments. Children use it to act out doll stories, collectors use it to bond, and crafters use it to share doll mishaps. Though its exact meaning varies, LOL signals an intent for humor and laughter across doll contexts.
| Situation | Meaning of LOL |
|---|---|
| Child playing with doll | Imagined doll laughter |
| Doll collector sharing experience | Signaling shared understanding |
| Doll falling off shelf | Finding humor in unplanned mishap |
| Posing doll in silly outfit | Conveying amusement at doll scene |
As this table demonstrates, the meaning of LOL changes based on the doll-related situation, ranging from imagined doll emotions to shared experiences to unplanned funny moments. But in all contexts, it signals an intent of amusement, humor, and laughter.