WHAT IS THIS ‘LOL’? By Annushka Hardikar
This alphabet book is dedicated to my grandparents whose enthusiasm never ceases to amaze me.
A
SAP
as soon as possible “ Hey can you send me the assignment for tomorrow? ”
“ Hey I’m a little busy right now... I’ll send it to you asap. ”
“ I did everything you asked me to, I’m coming home now. ”
“ Okay. Btw don’t forget to pick up the laundry. ”
TW
by the way
C
“ No you have to come. 5pm sharp.
Cya ! ”
C
YA see you
“ I’m bored to come right now. You all meet. “
“ May I have ten minutes of your time Sir? �
ND
do not disturb
“ After two hours please. I’m meditating right now. Dnd. ”
E
“ I promise I’ll finish all my homework! ”
OD
end of discussion
“ You’re not going for the party. EOD. ”
“ I’m so sorry I will be late today as well.“
“ FYI in case you forgot, it’s our anniversary.”
YI
for your information
G
“ Tell me what gossip you heard yesterday! ”
G
TG
got to go
“ Sorry gtg I’m running late for gym! ”
“ My friends are taking me out for dinner. �
F
have fun
“ Sounds like a fun birthday. Hf !”
I
DK
I don’t know
“ Why did you stop replying? ”
“ Sorry Idk why my wifi suddenly stopped working. ”
“ Is the exam really preponed? ”
J
“Jk. It’s on the same day. ”
J K
just kidding
“I’m running late. Start the meeting without me. “
K
K .
okay
“K. Will do.”
L
“ I banged my nose into the door today. ”
OL
laugh out loud
“ LOL that must have been quite a sight. ”
M
SG
message
“ Do you want to adopt a puppy? ”
“ No, but I’ll pass on the msg. ”
“ Thanks for the ride home. �
“ Np. ”
P
no problem
“ OMG did you see what she was wearing? ”
O
O
MG
oh my God
“ I did. It was so last season. ”
“ What do you want fo dinner?”
LZ please
“ Plz plz plz can we order pizza today?”
Q
“Is this your niece? She’s adorable! ”
T
cutie
“ Yeah she is a total qt.”
“ I bunked my class and ran into my mother. �
“ ROFL.”
OFL
rolling on the floor laughing
S
“ Sup? We haven’t spoken in ages.”
S
UP
what’s going on?
“ I just made myself coffee.”
“ Is now a good time to talk?”
TYL
talk to you later
“ I’m cooking. Ttyl.”
U R
Your
“ Is ur laptop charged? I have some work.”
“ Yes it’s on my desk.”
“ V are enjoying our lovely holiday.”
V
“ Wow! I’m so jealous.”
V .
We
W “ Don’t leave the house
w/o the keys.”
W
/O
without
“ I won’t. See you later.”
“ I’m going to miss my best friend. Come soon.”
X
OXO
hugs and kisses
“ I’ll miss you too. XOXO ”
Y ?
why?
“ Y didn’t you call me yesterday? ”
“ My phone ran out of battery. Sorry.”
“ Yeah, goodnight.
Zzz”
“ You must be tired. Go to sleep.”
ZZ
sleeping
“What is this LOL?” my grandma once asked. Most teenagers’ text messages, including mine read to others like a jumble of disconnected alphabets, numbers and odd punctuation. This book is a guide for the older generation to decode this space constrained lingo and integrate themselves into the world of LOL, BTW and OMG.