Meaning of LMAO: ”LMAO” is an abbreviation of the phrase ‘‘laughing my ass off”. It means something funny. LMAO is a phrase that comes into mind when a person laughs very hard, even though its rare to lose body parts to laughing. We will now have a look at what ”LMAO” is, itsit’s full form, meaning, origin & how to use it in contextual examples. People usually write LMAO in written conversations when they find something really funny. It is similar to “LOL” which stands for ”laughing out loud”. However, the use of LMAO in a conversation may also upset the other person. Especially if they are not familiar with internet slang & its meaning.
LMAO
Origin of LMAO
At the beginning of the 1990s, the slang LMAO began to be used by people, especially the ones who were the first to engage in online communication. Today, it’s one of the most used Internet slang. Also, it’s a lot easier to write LMAO than writing “that was funny” or “that really made me laugh.” It is used with a sense of humor. When we use the LMAO expression, we are telling the other person that what they said is extremely funny & made them laugh instantly. LMAO indicates great amusement.
Also, it’s often that people mistake the phrase IMAO (‘in my arrogant opinion’) for LMAO, which stands for ‘laughing my ass off.’ People think that the uppercase ‘I’ was a lowercase ‘L’.
Examples of LMAO
Example 1 : LMAO ! That’s one funny kid.
Example 2 : LMAO ! I look worse than even you do.
How to use “LMAO” ?
We need to be careful about the context in which the phrase LMAO can be used. There are a certain set of points that we should keep in mind, while we use the phrase LMAO in an informal setup, where the situation is funny or humorous. Certain rules to be kept in mind for using LMAO are :
Only used in informal situations.
The word ‘ass’ can be considered improper & impolite. That is why LMAO should never be used in a formal setup. This abbreviation is only meant for casual writing, like on social media platforms or when one has to write a message or email a close friend.
Example : This play was hilarious, lmao.
There are simple ways of saying it.
If one is not keen on using vocabulary that can seem offensive, they can always write LMBO, which means ”laughing my butt off”.
Example : Hey, that was a funny joke. LMBO.
Its like a synonym of LOL, but only used in hilarious situations.
LMAO is used only in an informal setup whenever one think it’s necessary. But only in situations, when something is funnier than usual.
Example : That’s one of the funniest movies I have seen in a while. LMAO !
Adding emphasis to it.
It’s up to the writer to write LMAO in uppercase or lowercase. Using caps can add emphasis to it, if needed based on the context.
Example : Shreya will never set foot in this place, LMAO.
Synonyms of LMAO
Some phrases that have the same meaning as ”LMAO” are given below :
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laugh out loud
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laughing my apples off
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rolling on the floor laughing
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hehe
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laughing my butt off
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How to Use LMAO appropriately in a Conversation
LMAO meaning “laughing my ass off” , is often used in online conversations to express a strong opinion. While it can be a useful tool for expressing yourself, it is important to use appropriately. Some tips for using LMAO in conversation:
- Being aware of the context : LMAO should not be used in a setup especially a formal one where it is being used for humor.
- Have respect : Even when you have a strong opinion, one has to be respectful of the other person’s opinion.
- Use it sparingly : In every conversation, LMAO should not be used. It should be used, only when we are quite close with the other person & are having a light, funnier conversation.
- Being aware of the tone being used : While LMAO can be used to express humor, using it should not belittle or insult someone.
- Target audience : LMAO should not be used in conversations with people who may not understand its meaning.
One has to be respectful & be aware of the people & the surroundings, while using acronyms.
The Pros & Cons of Using LMAO: Impact of Online Acronyms on Language
The use of online acronyms, such as LMAO (”Laughing my Ass Off”), is very popular. While acronyms can be used to express opinions quickly, they can also have a negative impact on language.
Advantages
- Express opinions quickly.
- By using an acronym, users can quickly & easily convey their opinion without having to type out a lengthy explanation.
Disadvantages
- Can be difficult to comprehend for those who are unfamiliar with online acronyms
- Can lead to confusion & misunderstandings, which can be quite problematic in professional or academic settings. Additionally, the use of online acronyms can
- Lack of clarity in written communication, as the meaning of the acronym may not be clear or understood by everyone.
- Negative impact on language : People using these acronyms, may use descriptive language like words & phrases less.
In conclusion, the use of LMAO & other online acronyms can be both beneficial as well as detrimental. While they can be used to express opinions quickly, they can also lead to confusion & a lack of clarity in written communication. Also, it can have a negative impact on language, as users may use less descriptive language. Therefore, it is essential to consider the potential implications of using online acronyms before doing so.
Way Forward
Today, we see how the significance of having a conversation has significantly changed. Especially with the coming in of social media, we see even much more of informal conversation happening around us.
In this age of social media, the use of short forms & slangs is more. People prefer using these rather than using long words in their conversations especially when its an informal setup. One such phrase that is much in use, is the expression LMAO. Today, its one of the most used Internet slangs. Also, it’s a lot more easy to write LMAO than writing “that was funny” or “that really made me laugh.” It is used with a sense of humor. When we use LMAO expression, we are telling the other person that what they said is extremely funny & made them laugh instantly. LMAO indicates great amusement.
Other popular acronyms similar in meaning to LMAO are : LOL (laugh out loud), ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing) , LMAO (laughing my apples of), LMBO (laughing my butt off) & teehee (hehe). These express emotions, opinions & reactions quickly & efficiently are an important part of online communication.
The use of such acronyms, slangs & other short-forms have become so widespread that it is now part of our own language. It is constantly evolving, new acronyms & terms are coming up all the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you mean by LMAO?
”LMAO” is an abbreviation of the phrase ”laughing my ass off” . It means something funny. LMAO is a phrase that comes into mind when a person laughs very hard, even though its rare to lose body parts to laughing.
What are some of the other phrases that carry the same meaning as the phrase LMAO?
Popular acronyms including LOL (laugh out loud), ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing) , LMAO (laughing my apples of), LMBO (laughing my butt off) & teehee (hehe) mean the same as the phrase LMAO (laughing my ass off).
How did the phrase LMAO came into being?
In the beginning of 1990s, the slang LMAO was used by people especially the ones who were the first to engage in an online communication. Today, its one of the most used Internet slangs. Also, it’s a lot more easy to write LMAO than writing “that was funny” or “that really made me laugh.” It is used with a sense of humor. When we use LMAO expression, we are telling the other person that what they said is extremely funny & made them laugh instantly. LMAO indicates great amusement.
Why is the phrase IMAO mistaken for LMAO?
Its often that people mistake the phrase IMAO (‘in my arrogant opinion’) for LMAO, which stands for ‘laughing my ass off.’ People think that the uppercase ‘I’ was a lowercase ‘L’.
What are the points we should keep in mind while using the phrase LMAO ?
LMAO meaning ”laughing my ass off” is used to express humor. One should be aware of certain points while using it. We should use it only in informal situations with people we are close to & are familiar with. There are simple ways of saying it. If one is not keen on using vocabulary that can seem offensive, they can always write LMBO, which means ”laughing my butt off”. Also using LMAO can offend or belittle people who are not aware of its meaning. We need to be aware of the context as well as our tone while using LMAO.
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