Hi Mary,

I would like to offer my sincere apologies for any confusion that I may have been guilty of causing by posting Laughing Out Loud. It certainly was not intended.

My personal explanation as to WHY phrases, limited key strokes and emotions (icons if you will) are sometimes used over the computer........
In normal "face to face" conversations, we have the luxury of being able to physically accentuate what we are saying. I suppose "body language" could be a description. Over the computer (unless you have a net cam) this is not possible. Sometimes it can be benefit NOT being able to express how you really feel.

So, IF you are comfortable with the person (or persons, as is the case on the forum) the interjection of an emotion, short cut.....or what have you adds a bit of color (not everyone sees it that way) to your keyboard. LOL (laughing out loud) just means that whatever you are expressing, is a little stronger than a grin or smile.

You have made an excellent point by bringing up your confusion (thus my apology) in that I am guilty in assuming that everyone is aware of the "lingo". I will try to keep that in mind.

Thank you,
Dave Peters