Marshall,
    It's an internet shorthand to show emotion in text. "lol" : is short for Laughing out loud or lots of Laughter... 
Similar to the terms the list uses like: "FLAPS"...(Friendly local area parts store)
    Yes, I have kids... most single women do have them...lol  
    Get it? I'm showing a sense of humor to my last comment. If I didn't show emotion you might not know how to take my response. 
I like to add it when talking to a person who doesn't know my personality or I use it with people who I don't know their personality.      If they are having a bad day and you don't know it, you might say something that will be taken wrong. If you add "lol" to the text it lightens the readers view of your meaning. 
    It's published in books for new users on the internet and becoming more common in chats. Internet savvy.  That's where I learned it.
There are several shorthand meanings if you want to read more, I'll try to pass on what I've learned so far... <grin> 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Marshall Ruskin <mruskin@pangea.ca>
To: MtnGal <mtngal@SIERRATEL.COM>
Sent: Sunday, May 02, 1999 9:12 AM
Subject: what does "lol" mean?

| What does "lol" mean?
| 
| I'm embarassed to say that I don't know.
| 
| BTW: I'm guessing you are single parent with teenage children, as I can
| interpret postings in a "psychic way".
| 
| Marshall Ruskin
| 84 Westy "Iron Igloo"
| Founding Member of "Vanagon's Anonymous"
| 
| 

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