Members of Gen Z have allegedly swapped out the widely used acronym “LOL” with a fresher abbreviation – “IJBOL.” The new term stands for “I just burst out laughing.”
Expressing Suppressed Laughter
“IJBOL” has gained popularity and prominence as the go-to acronym for expressing laughter in the online realm. The emerging term encapsulates the genuine reactions people have when they experience a hearty laugh. The specificity of “IJBOL” addresses the kind of laughter that springs forth from surprises or suppressed amusement. Given its relatable nature, the term’s rapid adoption on the internet is unsurprising.
Laughing Behind the Screen
In a conversation with The New York Times, Ellie – a 25-year-old bank analyst – shared her reasons for switching to “IJBOL.” She explained that she transitioned to using the term because it resonated more with her personal experience of laughing “behind the screen.” She further elaborated that she often remains quiet and then lets out a snort when she laughs.
Millennial Humor vs Gen Z Humor
People also said they perceive “IJBOL” as a welcome replacement for existing acronyms like “LMAO” and “ROFL.” Micheal, a millennial-zoomer cusper, highlighted that he doesn’t resonate with “LMAO” and associates it with millennial humor. He expressed that “IJBOL” aligns better with Gen Z humor, which he finds funnier.
Nicki Minaj, Kamala Harris, and K-Pop
“IJBOL” has become linked to gifs featuring notable figures like Nicki Minaj and Kamala Harris, who has become near-synonymous with the term due to numerous viral videos showing her bursting into fits of laughter. Although “IJBOL” has existed since 2009, it experienced a resurgence within the K-pop community in recent years. Since then, it’s transitioned from its niche origins to broader online spaces.
What the Experts Say
Professor Michelle McSweeney, who studies digital laughter at the CUNY Graduate Center, characterized niche online communities like the K-pop fandom as “spaces of creativity.” She pointed out that the adoption of specialized acronyms – like “IJBOL” – into the broader lexicon is essential. McSweeney highlighted the need for fresh terms to accommodate various contexts.
The Dynamic Nature of Language
If “IJBOL” really has overtaken “LOL” as the favored acronym among Gen Z, it’s because it captures the genuine, unrestrained laughter that often arises in online interactions. The linguistic shift showcases the dynamic nature of language as it adapts to new norms and cultural contexts.
Gen X Wasn’t Impressed
News of the linguistic shift was shared across the internet and older generations weren’t pleased. “I’m Gen X. I usually ignore boomers when they call Gen Z stupid but, if this is true, really? Isn’t the point of acronyms to make something shorter and easier to say? If this is true, it really is a stupid move,” one person wrote.
Zoomers Denied the Shift
For the most part, members of Gen Z denied the popularity of the acronym. “They literally just make this [stuff] up, I swear. It’s either that or they see one person say it somewhere and then just generalize it to all of us. It’s so stupid,” one individual wrote. “Older generations always blow things out of proportion to make younger generations look bad. I’m 26, so I’m an elder zoomer. I remember when they were treating millennials like this. Now millennials are treating us the exact same way. I guess this is how we’ll treat Gen Alpha one day. I hope not though,” another said.
Some Millennials Shared Similar Views
A plethora of zoomers shared similar views to the aforementioned commenter – and even some millennials too. One individual wrote: “Millennial here. This never ends. It’s just boomers and Gen X writing headlines for clicks. This is probably based on one person on Twitter.”
Different Acronyms in Different Circumstances
Others claimed the acronym wasn’t replacing “LOL” and, instead, was just an addition. One person wrote: “I’ve used this term but not to replace anything. Different acronyms are used in different circumstances. We’re not replacing anything. Also, it’s completely normal for new acronyms to pop up so I really don’t get why this is a big deal.”
Boomers Are Out of Touch
Some discussed baby boomers and how out of touch they can be. One person wrote: “I think this goes to show how out of touch boomers are in an entirely new way. They see one Gen Z person say something online and assume it’s a popular new trend and, somehow, take it as a personal insult. They didn’t even make “LOL.” That was millennials or maybe younger Gen X, I don’t know.”
New Slang Is Normal
Some commenters discussed the way different generations have always created new slang. “What baffles me about this is that, in the grand scheme of things, all of these acronyms are new. Boomers are mad about Gen Z making new acronyms and new slang as if it isn’t something every single generation has done and will continue to do.”
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