The Internet Guide to Laughter

May 11, 2013 11:24 AM

In a conversation with Amandica, she asked if “LOL” annoys me. “Annoy” is a bit strong, but I am not really a fan. I prefer a more expressive online laugh. I proceeded to describe my various online laughs, then I decided that this would make a good post. This is the internet, after all, and laughter is serious business here.

ha:: Minorly funny, but not an out-loud laugh. Alternately, it can be a bit sarcastic, e.g. “Ha. No.”
heh:: See ha.
haha:: Funny and sometimes an out-loud chuckle.
hahah:: Halfway between funny and quite funny.
hahaha:: Quite funny and definitely an out-loud laugh.
hahahaha (or longer):: Hysterically funny and out-loud laughing for several seconds. Use multiple lines of these if you are uncontrollably laughing for quite some time.
bwahahaha:: See hahahaha.
mua ha ha ha:: Not funny, but being sinister. Should definitely be out loud for full effect.

All of these can be used in CAPS to add a little more “oomph” as necessary.

What are your online laughs like?