Texting in Character Spoken Dialog Trap

[Thabes]

Was just reading a great BTB story that really had me rooting for the protagonist, something which often happens as I read stories here and buy in on the story's premise.. Discovered CindyTV 's LW tales, which are light, complex enough to keep me involved, and just fun to read..

At one point in the dialog during a confrontation, "Lol" was used as a spoken response to a threat.

We all get trapped by texting to communicate, and it is so common to use shortcuts without even realizing it when you write. But, "lol" isn't a word.. right? Laughing out loud is something you do, and then type LOL to let people know you actually laughed aloud (or were pretending to).

Such a simple trap to fall into as we have shifted so much direct communication to texting.. Characters should always laugh out loud in direct dialog, not say "lol". Granted, there are exceptions, where maybe "lol" is spelled out or said as "lawl" in the speech as sarcastic or humorous, but not spoken as though it was an actual action that occurred without being spelled out.

Still, another entertaining BTB tale by CindyTV. My fifth by the author that has made my end to the week a far bit brighter than it was yesterday.

 

[NotWise]

I've heard people say L O L. I don't see a problem.

 

[TheRedChamber]

I've heard people say L O L. I don't see a problem.

I think the point is that if you are saying lol than you are not actually laughing out loud and I doubt you actually enjoyed my pithy comment.

Since this thread will no doubt momentarily disintergrate into a general discussion of the uses and misuses of the word lol, I present this as the final word on the subject. Weirldy I remembered him ending this by saying that people who say it out loud should be shot, but apparently not.

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

Girls my age say 'lol' (not L-O-L, it's pronounced the same as the 'lol' in 'lollipop). It's similar in tone and delivery to the 'okay' in 'okay boomer'. 'lol' is a valid word in the dialect of younger people. In fact it's actually considered incorrect to verbally spell out wtf, jfc, lol, and lmao. Like the people spelling these out like it's a spelling bee in casual conversation are immediately recognized as being cringe old people (anyone that talks like our parents).

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

I turn 20 in February, so like, I'd still avoid using it unless the person saying 'lol' is female and under 25 (and you the author actually know how to use the word)

I should make a thread dedicated to this stuff...

 

[Voboy]

A LOT of people I work with every day say, "L O L," but never "lawl."

It's a common way, I think, for younger people to express ironic or sarcastic amusement. It's slightly meta, since the people saying it are referring directly to the person they're replying to, but also indirectly to themselves.

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

A LOT of people I work with every day say, "L O L," but never "lawl."

So you work with a lot of women in their 30s

 

[Voboy]

So you work with a lot of women in their 30s

All ages, from 16 all the way up into the thirties.

Most of the people saying LOL are mid-twenties, I'd say. Sometimes I say it, mostly ironically.

 

[NakedNymph]

Like the people spelling these out like it's a spelling bee in casual conversation are immediately recognized as being cringe old people (anyone that talks like our parents).

Literally this, it's cringe. It's like they don't even know how to say it right So like, I don't usually hear wtf or jfc out loud at all (especially wtf, why the fuck would someone say wtf instead it literally takes longer to say), but lol and lmao (luh-mao) are pretty typical

 

[SimonDoom]

I want to make "OK Z-er" a thing.

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

I want to make "OK Z-er" a thing.

Cringe. Write your own clapback.

Gen z were the kids who ate tide pods, you can't embarrass us in a way that matters.

 

[JaxRhapsody]

Very rare do I see people verbally saying text speak, usually it's people on tv. That's all I got on it.

 

[JaxRhapsody]

Cringe. Write your own clapback.

Gen z were the kids who ate tide pods, you can't embarrass us in a way that matters.

Okay Zoomer...

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I just found LOL in my LOA

 

[Lifestyle66]

Using such idioms may work occasionally to help define a character. But overusing them will limit the audience appeal.

For example, it was discussed on the forum months ago about how writing a story with excessive use of Scottish idioms makes it a tiresome read for many Americans or others who are less familiar with those terms and expressions. If you task the reader to learn too many new terms or force them to go back and re-read a passage to fully understand the story, the reader might forgive you doing it to them once or twice. But do it too many times and lazy readers will just drop out.

So, using such terms in that context as has been suggested is done by those in their early-20's might limit the story's appeal to mostly those in their early-20's. And fewer people will LOVE it with a 5 rating.

 

[Trionyx]

I turn 20 in February, so like, I'd still avoid using it unless the person saying 'lol' is female and under 25 (and you the author actually know how to use the word)

I should make a thread dedicated to this stuff...

AWD, it is obvious you are of a certain youthful age...'like' how did I figure it out?

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

AWD, it is obvious you are of a certain youthful age...'like' how did I figure it out?

You got me there.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I turn 20 in February, so like, I'd still avoid using it unless the person saying 'lol' is female and under 25 (and you the author actually know how to use the word)

I should make a thread dedicated to this stuff...

I'm turning 50, and have said 'lol' for over a decade. Usually with a large pile of sarcasm. But then I'm the kind of geek who will also mention 'leet speak' and 'for the lulz' ironically.

In a story I'd have a narrator or other character note that "She actually pronounced it as a word, like loll. I didn't know anyone outside newspaper articles on alleged trends ever did that."

I find it an amusing puzzle, figuring out how to fit explanations for idioms into the narrative. Eg an Irish guy: '"Thon's the wee doll, so she is. Er, aye, that's her." I hate translating perfectly fine English, but sometimes it's necessary, living over the water.'