Don't confuse LOL with LMAO at work

Acronyms for laughter in English

Written by Marian Valentina Rivas Delgado

There were just a few hours left before I could close the work chat and take a break when the manager—a very serious and respectable man—sent his usual greeting of “Good afternoon, everyone,” but this time he made a joke that was actually really funny and unexpected.

It was a lighthearted comment that got his classmates involved; they went along with the joke and had everyone else laughing.

Some wrote a simple “hahaha,” “hahaha,” others sent emojis, and one unsuspecting person wrote LMAO!

Suddenly, silence.

The moment went from funny to awkward.

Our coworker is new to the company; he is improving his English and, in an effort to fit in, he used the wrong acronym.

When I noticed the chat had gone quiet, I sent him a private message to let him know that LMAO isn't used at work. He should have written LOL instead.

He replied frankly that he wasn't sure what the difference between these acronyms was, but he had certainly written the most awkward one.

In this blog post, I’ll explain what LMAO means and other English acronyms that describe different levels of laughter, so you don’t confuse them and know where and how to use them correctly. I’ll also tell you how this conversation ended and what the reaction was in the office.

Acronyms for "laughter" in English and their hierarchy

In online writing, not all laughter comes across the same way. Just as in Spanish, a "jeje" doesn't convey the same meaning as a "HAHAHA," in digital English there is a very clear hierarchy for expressing that we find something funny.

In North America, acronyms have emerged to express laughter along the spectrum of online humor. These range from LOL to ROFL to LMAO.

To avoid mistakes when using each acronym, keep this hierarchy of written laughter in mind:

1. LOL (Laughing Out Loud): It means “to laugh out loud” and is equivalent to a “haha” or a polite smile. It’s lighthearted, safe, and appropriate for almost any setting.

1. ROFL (Rolling On the Floor Laughing): It means “rolling on the floor laughing.” It expresses intense laughter without resorting to vulgar language.

1. LMAO (Laughing My Ass Off): It’s the highest level of laughter, but it includes crude language because of the word "ass", which means “butt” or “ass.”

LMAO is strictly reserved for friends, personal social media, or online games—never in social settings where you’re meeting new people, or if you’re no longer so young and want to use language that’s simple yet refined and polite.

The History of LMAO and How It Made Its Way Into the Oxford Dictionary

The acronym LMAO originated in the early 1990s on online forums and in the first internet chat rooms, where people from around the world gathered to discuss topics of interest in an casual setting that allowed for the use of profanity as part of the conversation without anyone taking offense.

The reduction in keystrokes and the time saved when speaking gradually shortened written language, reducing it to acronyms used to laugh and express emotions.

LMAO was widely used among hardcore online players of the famous role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, well known among Hispanic audiences for the famous animated series *Dungeons & Dragons*, which—with just a pencil, paper, and dice—gave rise to the first online games of this classic and spawned internet expressions that we use every day.

In short, what few people realize while learning English is that amid laughter, interesting topics, swear words, and time-saving, the iconic internet acronym LMAO was born, going on to have such a profound influence on global popular culture that it made its way into the pages of the prestigious Oxford English Dictionary.

The outcome at the office

Going back to the company chat and our confused coworker, the story had an embarrassing but happy ending.

Noticing that the group had gone silent, he immediately sent a very elegant clarification:

"Thank you for making me laugh so much and, above all, for helping me realize that this acronym wasn't meant for this chat."

The manager replied with a smiley face, and the conversation flowed normally.

The lesson was clear to everyone: to communicate well in another language, you not only have to know what the words mean, but also when it’s appropriate to use them.

The Importance of Learning English for Work 

This anecdote perfectly illustrates the true value of knowing how to use English in the workplace: a mistake in writing can change the tone of a professional relationship, but mastering the language with precision can open doors to the world.

At our language school, Planeta Immiland Education, we teach you English and French using a 100% practical approach, designed to help you succeed at work and navigate everyday life and immigration processes with ease. 

Improve your English with us

If you want to communicate confidently, avoid awkward moments at the office, and get by with ease when abroad, at Planeta Immiland Education we’ll be with you every step of the way.

That's why we offer programs designed to help you reach your goal:

🍁 English and French courses.

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Visit our online academy and discover which program is right for you: https://www.planeta-immiland-education.com/

You can take our free placement test at the following link: Placement Test.

Remember: Humorous acronyms in English have their own hierarchy, and you should use them in the appropriate context. This will help you avoid awkward moments and project the professionalism you’re aiming for.

With love,

Planeta Immiland Education