So I’m an ’80-er. Not sure if that’s how you even say it, but being born between 1980-1989 I am thus an ’80-er. My nephew and niece are both ’90-ers (except my youngest niece, who’s a ’00-er, born last year in fact). When I was a kid there were expressions and cool words we all used and understood that the old folks just didn’t get. I guess this is sort of where I’m headed now — into the old folks parking lot, I mean.
I mean, seriously. My nephew keeps saying “lol” and “col” all the time. I thought only the most self-loathing nerds *said* “lol” in real life. And what’s up with “col” anyway? I asked, and was informed it stands for “crying out loud” (I suggested maybe it should be “fcol” since one usually says “for crying out loud”, and was met with eye-glittering respect for this lingo-level-up, for 5 seconds, after which they realized *saying* “fcol” is impossible).
But yeah, I’m not cool in the eyes of an 11-year old anymore. Not something I strive for, so all is good, but it’s more that I’m entering the “kids say odd things” stage in life. Do mommies and daddies feel like that, or do they (are they forced to) keep up with all the slang and new words. Failing that, they might suddenly wake up and find their kid speaking a completely different language, maybe. Part of the process, I guess, and I guess 10-15 years from now, people will say “lol” in business meetings without being met with a single raised eyebrow.
ttylm8s
I’ve been avidly playing WoW for over two years, now. And I’ve been sarcastically saying “lol” on Ventrilo and amongst my inner circle of RL gaming friends. It’s a phenomenon whose origin is largely attributed to gamers who watch Pure Pwnage (purepwnage.com).
The show originated as a mockumentary documenting the life of a guy who eats, sleeps, lives and breathes Zero Hour (an entry in the C&C series). He is the classical representation of the extreme “1337 g4m3r.” The guy who uses shorthand and often mistypes and misspells a myriad of words. The guy who berates anyone who can’t play a game as well as him. The guy who can’t adhere to the rules of logic to save his life.
Since the first two episodes, however, it has evolved away from that mockumentary style. But it still contains elements of it and asks you to suspend belief on the basis of including gaming and its lifestyle in a more fantastical sense. Obviously, the series is a satire on the lives of gamers. But it treats gamers viewing the show as intelligent enough to recognize that it is satire. And it also contains some elements that actually revere the lifestyle.
It also doesn’t focus on just one game. It has featured Zero Hour, WoW, CS, Call of Duty, Halo 3, old school NES games, DS, the Wii, and a few other games I can’t think of off the top of my head.
So it’s effect on the gaming community has been rather large. Because Jeremy (the protagonist) actually says “lol” (as “lawl”), many people who game have begun to actually say it. Some say it sarcastically, because of the show. And others say it seriously, because they’ve heard others use it and think it’s cool and funny to use it.
So I guess the younger people have caught on by proxy and have decided that it’s okay to use it regularly. But will it last into their 20′s? Honestly, I doubt it.
That’s interesting. I think I’ve heard of that show before, but I’m not sure. Will definitely look into it.
I’ve *said* “lol” myself too, but as you say, sarcastically. These kids have taken it to a level I hadn’t seen before. I think that’s what made me react.