An IRL LOL.

[Momiji]

The way to look at is that language is used to communicate as FAST and as efficiently as possible. If an acronym, like LOL, conveys the same message in half the time as "Wow, that was really funny!", then it's a progress in the language. :]

Or you could, you know, laugh.

No, but if you used it for awhile and other people started picking up on it, yes I would.

Just like every other word ever!

Really? How would you determine each letter? There are thousands of words for each letter, so how would you figure out what each one stands for?

[Rye]

The way to look at is that language is used to communicate as FAST and as efficiently as possible. If an acronym, like LOL, conveys the same message in half the time as "Wow, that was really funny!", then it's a progress in the language. :]

Or you could, you know, laugh.

Because that works great online on forums and instant messaging, when you can't hear the other person, Justin. xD

[Momiji]

The way to look at is that language is used to communicate as FAST and as efficiently as possible. If an acronym, like LOL, conveys the same message in half the time as "Wow, that was really funny!", then it's a progress in the language. :]

Or you could, you know, laugh.

Because that works great online on forums and instant messaging, when you can't hear the other person, Justin. xD

Yes Jessica, but we're talking about in IRL, hence the thread title.

[Tavrobel]

OMGLAT,TEOML! CYUAOT?

Ohh snapples, those are some awesome words you've got there.

Because that works great online on forums and instant messaging, when you can't hear the other person, Justin. xD

And yet the title of the thread says IRL. Certain voice threads made by yours truly would beg to differ.

[Madame Adequate]

No, but if you used it for awhile and other people started picking up on it, yes I would.

Just like every other word ever!

Really? How would you determine each letter? There are thousands of words for each letter, so how would you figure out what each one stands for?

I meant the specific acronyms you used there, not the idea of replacing all words ever with their first letters which would not facilitate communication, and thus would not be an evolution of the langauge.

Edit: Thread pretty obviously branched out to be a discussion of language in general.

[Ouch!]

No, but if you used it for awhile and other people started picking up on it, yes I would.

Just like every other word ever!

Really? How would you determine each letter? There are thousands of words for each letter, so how would you figure out what each one stands for?

There's a significant difference between your example and lol. MILF's point stands. If the acronym was used frequently enough, people would come to understand it. Obviously we're not going to start taking it to the extent you suggest. Nice slippery slope there, chief.

[Momiji]

Of course not, but I was just taking the example to its extreme form. Can you imagine how hard it would be to pronounce some acronyms? And spelling them out...wouldn't it be easier to just say the words?

[Ouch!]

Yes. That's the slippery slope argument I was criticizing you for there!

[Rantz]

If it's that much easier to say the words, the acronym probably won't spread.

[Madame Adequate]

Of course not, but I was just taking the example to its extreme form. Can you imagine how hard it would be to pronounce some acronyms? And spelling them out...wouldn't it be easier to just say the words?

*Headdesk*

YES, which is why only SOME acronyms exist, whereas the rest of the time we continue using the full words or phrases. That's pretty much my original point. We use certain acronyms because they have proven more convenient/efficient/in some way superior or preferable.

[Momiji]

That still doesn't make saying 'brb' or 'lol' or 'wtf' in person any more reasonable.

[Madame Adequate]

I'm talking about acronyms in speech in general. Sure, there are some easy ones, like "light amplification through the stimulated emission of radiation" = laser as Hux already mentioned, but what if you were speaking of something that didn't flow as well?

Then, like three of us just said, the acronym wouldn't take off and become used.

[Momiji]

I'm talking about acronyms in speech in general. Sure, there are some easy ones, like "light amplification through the stimulated emission of radiation" = laser as Hux already mentioned, but what if you were speaking of something that didn't flow as well?

Then, like three of us just said, the acronym wouldn't take off and become used.

I edited that, since you all posted while I was posting.

[Rye]

Tbf, most people don't even realize how many acronyms and short-hand phrases they use every day! It sure helps when we need to communicate something ASAP, whether it be online, or IRL, imho. And whether anyone likes it or not, we're so accustomed to these acronyms and short-hand, that we read them like and hear them and just understand the meaning. That's how our language works. We don't even realize it happening eventually. That's the point some people here are trying to make, imho.

Anyway, brb watching Amelie, later. :flounder:

[Madame Adequate]

That still doesn't make saying 'brb' or 'lol' or 'wtf' in person any more reasonable.

There is no question of reasonability. It is not about that. You are using completely irrelevent criteria. It's about ease of communication. There's nothing reasonable or unreasonable about it. The only question is whether you communicate effectively.