Yes, I'm looking at you.
The acronym LOL, for you young lads who joined the internet after it was already in overuse, means "laughing out loud."
It does not, nor has it ever, held the same meaning as a period (.), exclamation mark (!), question mark (?), or semicolon (;), all of which are grammatically-acceptable ways of ending a thought and flowing into the next phrase. Ending every thought/phrase/sentence with lol makes you sound like a complete and total idiot, especially when you simultaneously omit punctuation. Are you really chuckling to yourself as you write very sentence, including those that are distinctly non-humorous? [For reference, that is a rhetorical question, a type of sentence which forms a statement not requiring an answer; while I know many of you would be tempted to omit the question mark and type 'lol' instead, the question mark is what makes it rhetorical in the first place. 'lol' in its position would be idiotic. Take note].
I've noticed it more and more on two of the forums I frequent regularly and it is driving me crazy. Good grammar is not optional. People who want a job in the future would do well to learn how to write without sounding like a moron who grew up sending 140-character texts on a cell phone as their only form of written communication.
I was tempted to quote the half-dozen or so worst offenders around here to shame them into learning how to write in the English language, but I figured that would be cruel, so you shall remain anonymous... at least, to anyone who isn't looking.
/rant.
Carry on.
