Partial repress

[robinbloke]

That reminds me you know.

Acronyms that don't deliver. Or rather, perhaps their over use. Communication is a tricky weasel, sometimes you think you've got it by the tail but then after you release it to slink through the grass of freedom it doesn't quite deliver the trouser experience you were intending, because that's ferrets.

Anyway...

I think, I think it's time for new acroymns to express the real levels of actual amusement out there, let's stick with one emotion for the time being, Rome wasn't built in a day and all that malarky.

But I'll batter up on a biggy, hilarity. Oh yes, the lols¹, the rotflmao and the lpmt².
They're just not representative; I defy anyone who has used rotflmao to say that before typing that they were actually doing what they said they were.
So my, admittedly, less snappy⁴ proposals are:

aas - Appreciative Amused Snort⁵
ghc - Genuine Hearty Chuckle
htcmml - had to cover my mouth laughing⁹

and, a close contenor to aas for my favourite

itihml - I Think I Hurt Myself Laughing

T minus 1:17 to cow juice. Dammit.

Addendum:

icsyonamts⁷ - i could say yes or no and mean the same


1 lower case quite deliberately, they're a bit too loud for this time in the morning⁸ see, that's another thing to tackle already, right there - I'll get back to that one.
2 not quite, can't remember this one - it's new to me but can't remember what it is exactly. It tickled me though, feathers are a forte for it.
4 Probably. Still in concept at this stage...
5 I like where this is going
9 Note to self: Elcor.
8 Capitals. No deposit.
7 far far too long

Comments

[whiskeylover.livejournal.com]

Although I like the aas, what I'm still missing is something along the lines of comcus (corners of mouth curling up slightly), which I find is actually the most common reaction.

Also, might it be that it's not just acronyms, but also the numerical sequences of foototes that don't quite deliver?

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

The footnotes got a little confused; they're as much for me as anyone else although I wandered off from them to a vision of the future...

comcus has a familiar ring to it, keeping the acronyms small enough to be snappy and still obvious enough is the key perhaps?

[whiskeylover.livejournal.com]

I'd say that's a fair point (chsibm, for example, wouldn't really work- although that has the added difficulty that very few people online would actually admit that they couldn't have said it better themselves...)

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

It's a varient on the "Me too" but with a respectful nod of the head attached I'd say :)

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Also, party 18th July, if you didn't know already; you'd be very most welcome!

[whiskeylover.livejournal.com]

Hmmm- sounds like a plan. As far as I can see I'll be in the country, won't actually be teaching until the following Monday, & should hopefully have finished the preparations for the course starting on the 20th...

I'll let you know closer to the time ;)

[gerald_duck]

I would like to offer the view that acronyms like "ROFLMAO" are borne of an Internet and txtspeak age: prone simultaneously to abbreviation and hyperbole.

The kind of thing you're wanting to express in more measured tones already existed in English as a rich variety of onomatopœic terms: snort, chuckle, giggle, titter, guffaw, heh, hee, ha, ho, etc.

Personally, I don't think I've ever used "ROFLMAO". "Raffle mayo", once or twice, with dripping, over-egged irony, maybe, but not "ROFLMAO". The only modern acronym indicating hilarity I use is "LOL", which is realistically useful in a literal sense.

Then there are a few modern onomatopœiæ that I use: sporfle, snerk, squee, etc.

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

sporfle has to be the most delicious word I have heard today!

warping sounds or language into emotives is possibly prone to accent variation, but this has a lot of interesting ideas and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter :)

[pinkapplejam.livejournal.com]

Then there are a few modern onomatopœiæ that I use: sporfle, snerk, squee, etc.

*Adopts* XD How cute-sounding!!!

[moomin-puffin.livejournal.com]

you're fucking ace you are

ghc

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Yooooooooou lovely! xxx

[http://users.livejournal.com/_stormknight_/]

If we're aiming for realistic reactions to online occurrences, how about:

nha - Nods Head Appreciatively

reashs - rolls eyes and shakes head slightly

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

The second I like a lot, all this communication lost! It's why mediums like this aren't as effective as face to face sometimes.

shhia



shakes his head in agreement

[the-elyan.livejournal.com]

My two favourites relate to Bad days of varuous stripes - one mky own (nicked from LotR), and one I heard:

ADITGA - All That I Do Goes Amiss (Aragorn)

BOHICA - Bend Over, Here It Comes Again

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Ooooo missus!

The first has a very sad poignant feel...

[veridian-sylph.livejournal.com]

aas

[sarah-mum.livejournal.com]

I have, not once but twice, found myself falling to the floor in hysteria after reading something on the inter-tubes. Both occasions were instigated by the much missed and uttely Badong (Bad AND Wrong) CountB.
However, I have never lest continence due to 'net humour, and I feel compelled to offer Tenna Lady to anyone who admits to 'PMPL'

Damn, I used to have a just perfect icon for this, featuring "LMAOHL" off of Kajagoogoo.