what does lol mean?

While reading various forums I occasionally come upon abbreviations that I don't understand. By the way what does LOL or lol mean? Is BTW a user name or does it mean something?

I take LOL to mean Laughing Out Loud and BTW to mean By The Way. But then I may be all wrong. That is the problem with interpreting these vaious acronyms, one often is way off. And the smiley thingies, most of the time I just smile back and do not even attempt an interpretation.

Poor fellas ;>)

(Gals just like to have fun)

frankford,
This in internet slang. Lol means laugh out loud. BTW means by the way. There are lots of them and I know there is a list of the most common ones somewhere . I think Gardenwife made it. I am sure she will be along soon to post it for you.

There are so many acronyms we could never know them all, but if you want answers to at least some of them, go to http://www.netlingo.com. There also is a handbook - I refer to my copy almost everyday. Business and operating symbols are included along with the e-mail slang, as well as smileys and emoticons.

We use one at work, SSDD. The nice version is Same Stuff Different Day. I do actually like my job. Frank

here's a couple of more, if my teenage daughter was here she could probably go on forever

brb = be right back
omg = Oh my gosh
rofl= rolling on floor laughing
roflmbo = rolling on floor laughing my butt off

Thanks everyone for your feedback! You made my day so much more enlightened.

Here's some threads that come up in a search:

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/384614/
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/76907/

Man , am I in trouble, I thought LOL meant lots of luck!

That is one of its meanings too.

kow= knock on wood to me, keep on worring to pessimst