== Odd source links and an opinion.  == 

 Firstly, the articles in references 12 and 13 don't seem to exist - the former lead to a blank article and the latter returns a 404 Error.  

  
 I figured I'd point out those less objectionable bits first, before I blabber out some opinions. Without any sources, I can't say much besides that it feels awfully false at the moment. Freedom of speech, hey. 

 I'd like to point out that none of the sources are written by people who actually read and use expressions like lol on a regular basis, nor have they asked what goes on in the minds of those who do. The people who do are teenagers who don't exactly spend their weekends writing scholarly hours on LOLing, and adults who are not linguists. I don't know how much of an authority some fellow with a website has, so to throw out an idea: perhaps the combined opinions of the Urban Dictionary teens could actually be a somewhat legitimate source? *ducks head and hides under hands* 

 That said, I have to take sides with the teenagers calling this article bullshit, except say it in a slight more civil and rationalized way. I find the sources here outdated, inaccurate, and unrepresentative of what you actually mean when you type "LOL", or other common internet acronyms such as ROFL, OMG, or LMAO. To me, LOL is an expression of excitement. I am almost never actually "laughing out loud" - i'm only excited and happy. Lol is, to me, a word (pronounce "lole"), a replacement for the nod (lol), grin (LOL), or laugh (LOL!!!) I would use in a face-to-face conversation. In way, what the Shortis has said, but to a greater extent ("Or indeed, I may not actually laugh out loud but may use the locution 'LOL' to communicate my appreciation of your attempt at humor.")