"lol"

I've always known that I use the abbreviation "lol" (for ANYONE who doesn't know what that means it stands for laugh out loud, and can I say welcome to the internet? Also, why are you reading my blog when there are so many other wonders to be discovered in the World Wide Web!) a lot in online conversations. Mostly it's a filler because I have different ways of expressing actual laughter (such as "LOL" or reiterations of "ha" or "HA" depending how how hilarious I find the particular comment/situation). This strange obsessive over-use of this contraction is unique, as I tend to stay away from other forms of contractions in such communications, and indeed you will rarely find me using such terms as "brb", "atm", "rofl" etc.

So I thought I'd outline some of the ways I use "lol". I also give examples, and try to phrase things in a realistic way, just so you feel a part of what I'm saying. Lol.

1. As a general acknoledgement e.g. Someone else: "ur tall" Me: "lol" Someone else "great i finally finished my essay" Me: "lol"
   
   
2. As a disclaimer that something is meant to be taken in a light-hearted manner or is slightly funny (even if expressed in an unfunny way or if the situation is not inherently funny) "lol i'm so angry i wanna shoot someone lol" "lol i just cut my finger off and now it's wriggling on the floor lol"
   
   
3. As a replacement for "of course" - Someone else: "did you hand in your assignment?" Me: "lol yeah"
   
   
4. To convey an uneasy laugh in response to a tragic/sad situation disclaimed with a lol (see Point 2) - Someone else: "lol i just broke my leg lol" Me: "lol..."
   
   
5. A way to respond without actually saying anything (related to Point 1) e.g. Someone else: "everyone thinks i'm dumb, but i'll show them! i'll show them ALL!!" Me: "lol"
   
   
6. A more subtle way of saying "that was meant to be a joke, laugh damn you!" (compared to the aforementioned phrase, or the use of "jk") "two horses walk into a bar and the bartender shoots both of them lol" "knock knock it's me lol" "three men are trying to get on a plane; one's Iraqi, one's North Korean and the third's Afghan, and they all get frisked lol"
   
   
7. To express regret in a less sombre manner e.g. Someone else: "hey do you wanna hang out?" Me: "nah, i'm already hanging out lol"
   
   
8. Express amusement, but not so much as to actually be making audible laughter (related to Point 1 and Point 5) - such as a bad joke, or after someone describes an unfunny situation disclaimed with "lol" and you feel socially obliged to respond with laughter
   
   
9. A hidden plea for company "lol i just wrote another blog entry, go have a look lol" (secretly meaning "No one reads my blog, please please PLEASE for the love of something holy go read it and leave loads of comments so I have some affirmation of my LIFE! Oh God why does no one love me!")

That's all I can think of for now.