Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Feifei.
Neil
And I'm Neil.
Feifei
And Neil – you look different. I just can't tell what it is…
Neil
Oh, you mean my hair? My pink hair?
Feifei
Yes, why on earth did you do that?!
Neil
Ah, you know me Feifei. I did it for the lolz!
Feifei
Right. Well, it is pretty… funny.
Neil
Thanks. It's my birthday today and I thought I'd do something fun. If you do something 'for the lolz', it means you do it for fun.
Feifei
And as Neil is demonstrating, it's often something a bit silly or crazy. Oh, and happy birthday by the way.
Neil
Younger every year. Now, lolz is a close relation of another slang term: LOL.
Feifei
LOL stands for 'laughing out loud'. We use it when texting or on social media after a joke or something funny. For example, Neil, your hair looks amazing, LOL.
Neil
Why is that a joke? My hair does look great. Anyway. Lolz can be used in the same way.
Feifei
Your hair looks amazing, lolz.
Neil
Thanks. Or we can use it in the phrase 'for the lolz' as I mentioned earlier.
Feifei
Shall we play some examples?
Neil
Or I could play my banjo, for the lolz?
Feifei
Maybe later! Listen to these examples.
Examples
A: You're putting so many chillies on your pizza?! Why?
B: For the lolz. Going to be hot!
I collect teapots. Everyone tells me it's pointless but I do it for the lolz.
I'm going to convince everyone I'm an astronaut, just for the lolz.
Feifei
So – lots of lolz examples there. So, how long will your hair stay pink, Neil?
Neil
It's permanent. Unless I dye it again.
Feifei
Seriously?
Neil
Just kidding. Anyway, Feifei, I've got an idea.
Feifei
Oh yeah?
Neil
Why don't you… walk through the office singing Happy Birthday to me?
Feifei
But… Why?
Neil
For the lolz, of course!
Feifei
Of course.
Neil + Feifei
Bye.