Wait, What? Here's What 'IJBOL' Means on Social Media
Every year, or seemingly every day, the younger generation comes up with sayings that are considered the phrases to use. From “hip” and “groovy,” to “dope” and “that’s fire,” there’s always some new phrase or word you should be using if you want to seem “with it.”
Texting, then social media, added a whole new dimension to using the right words. Abbreviations like GRWM, S/U, RT (retweet), BRB (be right back), ICYMI (in case you missed it) and FOMO (fear of missing out) became a part of our everyday lexicon.
I remember when LOL first started being used a lot. I was seeing it all over the place. Then it progressed to LOLOL, to show that something was really funny. Now, LOL is considered old news. It’s still used, but something newer and fresher is on the scene—IJBOL.
We’ll tell you all about what this latest abbreviation means, and how you can use it, so you won’t sound totally cray.
Related: What Does ‘FWIW’ Mean, Exactly? Plus, How *Not* To Use the Term
What Does 'IJBOL' Mean?
IJBOL (or ijbol) means "I just burst out laughing." It’s the trendier, cooler, hipper way of saying LOL (laugh out loud). Though the dates vary, many say it became popular in 2021, when K-pop fans began using the term.
Related: OK, Wait, What Does 'TTYL' Mean in Texting?
How To Use “IJBOL” on Social Media
So, you know what it means now, but how do you make sure you use it properly? To begin with, writing it in lowercase letters, "ijbol," is the cooler way to go. You can use the letters as a stand-alone comment. Adding “ijbol” as a caption to a funny video is perfect.
You can also start off a sentence to communicate your laughter about what’s to come. For example, maybe you have a behind-the-scenes clip of the actors from the TV show Only Murders in the Building. Your social media post could say, “ijbol the cast of OMITB is hilarious!”
Related: Huh? Here's What 'WYD' Means in Texting
What Does ROFL Mean in a Text?
While ijbol is the new LOL, it hasn’t completely taken the place of ROFL (a lot of abbreviated phrases—I know). If you use ROFL in a text, you’re saying that you just found something hilarious, as it means “rolling on the floor laughing.”
Now when something tickles your funny bone, whether online or via text, you know just which abbreviation to use. That is, until something new emerges.
