One of the first things I notice about someone is their laughter. I love to hear and see people laugh because everyone has a distinct style. At the train station this morning, there were people nearby chatting. One guy laughed easily throughout their conversation. I couldn’t really tell what they were joking about, but it seemed really hilarious. Hmm…Hopefully, they weren’t talking about my wardrobe.
Anyhoo, this one guy would heartily chuckle, but he’d do it for exactly 4 seconds - then stop abruptly. It was like a laugh faucet that shut off automatically after 4 seconds each time, which made me giggle quietly every time he did it. I once worked with a woman who had the coolest laugh. It sounded like 3 people laughing.
When I read humorous blogs and the witty comments left on them, I totally crack up, and yet - the only way I can express my appreciation for all the funnies is: LOL! Ha! Heheheh. And sometimes AAHAHAHAHHAHA!! - which could also mean I’m walking across hot coals.
And then I wonder how everyone online sounds when they laugh. I feel deprived in not knowing. So I fill in the sound without knowing much about the blogger/commenter, especially those without photos.
I’ve categorized some of the laughter-styles I’ve noticed through the years and I just plug in the best-fitting sound in my mind when someone writes LMAO.
1) For me, I do a combination guffaw/giggle with a mini-snort finish. Sometimes I do that exhale thing that winds up into a big laugh. Kinda like a car trying to start on a low battery.
2) The Silent Laugh. Very mime-like. The laugher is clearly amused, but no sound comes out. Why, hold back, Silent One? Just release the laugh energy and you’ll feel much better. It’s like passing gas. Noisy and thunderous brings relief. The same goes for people who cover their mouth when they laugh. No, no. I want to see the gold and silver crowns (and fillings) on the wisdom teeth.
3) The Inhale Laugh. Think Arnold Horshack from Welcome Back, Kotter. Or an asthmatic person.
4) The Nasal Laugh. This is a snickering sound or like an air-compressor puff.
5) My favorite laughter to hear is The Screaming Laugh. I’ve heard this laugh many times among drunks. You can’t hold it back. It starts as a high-pitch yell and ungracefully explodes into a full-blown, head thrown back, eyes rolled up, laugh carnival.
But the kind of laughing that’s really charming is when people are cracking up about something - and they make direct eye contact with others, especially strangers. It could be when you’re watching a movie, at a game, anywhere where people are being entertained. This kept happening when Husband Jace and I were at the comedy club. Every time we’d laugh at a joke, we looked at the people nearby us and whenever we made eye contact, we’d all laugh even harder. It’s the ultimate connection among strangers.
What does your laughter sound like (do you like it?) or do you hold back and just heheh or lower-case lol? And here’s the most distinctive laugh of all - Woody Woodpecker
Related Posts:
Laughter In The Rain
Laughing At Funny Names
And Dikshit Was His Name-O
Names That Make Me Giggle
23 kids playing along so far ↓
1 Otin
// Apr 24, 2009 at 3:45 am
When I laugh really hard, I start out loud and then get to the point where I don’t make sounds, kind of like Ralph Kramden. By the way, did I mention that I loved Jackie Gleason, he was a true entertainment genius!
Otin’s last blog post..Aloha Friday #7
2 Chris
// Apr 24, 2009 at 4:19 am
It hurts when I laugh … a lot. Like really hurts in my belly. And I weep tears of joy too. No sound comes out but I can’t stop the silent, painful, drowning laughter.
It’s embarrassing but fun at the same time because it means something has really tickled me.
Chris’s last blog post..Launching professionalism of poetry
3 Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com
// Apr 24, 2009 at 4:44 am
Unless it is REALLY funny I’d probably fall on the quieter side; other than that just a pretty regular laugh. I always liked Arnold Horshack’s laugh - his laugh made me laugh.
Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com’s last blog post..Let Dad Pour the Drinks
4 grannyann
// Apr 24, 2009 at 7:22 am
I have a really hearty laugh in fact when I used to work a lot with the local community theatre they always wanted me to come to rehearsals for comedies. That way they could tell how they were doing if I laughed. I’ve been known to laugh till I cried…but it has to be REALLY funny.
grannyann’s last blog post..an Oxy…what?
5 ReformingGeek
// Apr 24, 2009 at 7:25 am
If I really get going, I will laugh until I cry. Usually I just smile/snort/giggle all at the same time on an exhale. When I remember, I cover my mouth because I have big teeth and I don’t want people to think I’m about to eat them.
ReformingGeek’s last blog post..Cooking Up the Thursday Trio
6 Shawn
// Apr 24, 2009 at 8:06 am
I actually just say, “lol” and retain a straight faced demeanor. My 3rd grade teacher told me the sound of laughter causes babies to be born with syphilis.
Shawn’s last blog post..You WILL Acknowledge Me, Wal-Mart Greeter
7 alantru
// Apr 24, 2009 at 11:21 am
Shawn: So the fabled rumors of laughter and syphilis are true?
Hey Marissa, I’m a whisperer laugher. It’s terribly embarrassing. Please don’t tell anyone. But like the song says…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1dkTrNH92Y
alantru’s last blog post..Please note I am currently in the washroom. I will respond to your email upon my return. If you require immediate assistance…
8 alantru
// Apr 24, 2009 at 11:30 am
P.S. My apologies if dropping The Mary Poppins link in was bad form.
alantru’s last blog post..Please note I am currently in the washroom. I will respond to your email upon my return. If you require immediate assistance…
9 dizzblnd
// Apr 24, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Great question! When you imagine my laughter… you have to imagine a squeaky chair . And a 4 year old in that squeaky chair enjoying the annoying sound coming from it so he does it faster!
dizzblnd’s last blog post..Nasty Shit no one wants to hear.. but you will read anyway
10 C.B.Jones
// Apr 24, 2009 at 1:41 pm
The snort is an all time great one. It always makes me think of Family Matters.
C.B.Jones’s last blog post..Mindful tip: Public Transportation
11 marissa
// Apr 24, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Otin: I was right! I pictured you as a raucous laugher. I’ll have to find some Jackie Gleason video clips. It’s been awhile. What a character.
Chris: I get that bellyache laugh too, like someone knocked the wind out of me. Makes me double-over. Oh that’s another type of laugh. The Silent Turned Into Screaming Banshee Laugh.
Jim: I DID picture you as the strong silent type with a normal laugh. I must be psychic.
GrannyAnn: You totally have a great wicked sense of humor. I’m not surprised that you have a hearty laugh.
ReformingGeek: HAHAH! See - it’s comments like that one, that makes me choke on my coffee. “… to think you’re about to eat them.” And then, it goes perfectly with your latest blog post title!! LOL
Shawn: I think you give up alot more than lol. Are the babies born with hair on their hands too?
Alantru: REEEEALLLY? A whisperer laugh. I’d have to hear it coming out of you. I thought you were more of a chuckler.
No apologies - Loved the link!
12 marissa
// Apr 24, 2009 at 1:52 pm
dizzblnd: That’s a great description. I can almost hear the sound effects now!
C.B. Jones: The snort is so involuntary, which is why I get embarrassed (Not) when I do it. On Three’s Company (in the 70’s), Chrissy Snow used to do it all the time too.
13 Otin
// Apr 24, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Yep, I’m addicted!
Otin’s last blog post..Aloha Friday #7
14 marissa
// Apr 24, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Otin: Blogging - it’s the New Crack.
15 Joe
// Apr 25, 2009 at 8:49 am
I snort sometimes.
It’s embarrassing.
Joe’s last blog post..Ronco:
16 marissa
// Apr 25, 2009 at 11:05 am
Joe: Yeah, people tend to get embarrassed when they snort. It might be because, then you get asked, “Did you just snort?” Like it’s some kind of a nasal-fart or something.
17 Chris
// Apr 25, 2009 at 8:08 pm
lol. Nasal fart. I’m going to use that - that’s brilliant.
Chris’s last blog post..Launching professionalism of poetry
18 Otin
// Apr 25, 2009 at 8:36 pm
All men are addicted to crack, if you get my drift LOL!
Otin’s last blog post..Weekend Post Post #2
19 marissa
// Apr 25, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Chris: I’m always happy for opportunities to say “fart” on this blog.
Otin: On a related note, yes - and plumbers too. No disrespect to plumbers. (I’m sure they’re used it.)
Hope everyone’s having a great weekend! I am!
Otin: Happy Fishing on Sunday.
20 Otin
// Apr 26, 2009 at 4:58 am
I went yesterday!
Otin’s last blog post..Weekend Post Post #2
21 The Stabbing Pen
// Apr 28, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I will break up with a girl if she a) has a bad laugh, or even worse b) doesn’t laugh enough!
The Stabbing Pen’s last blog post..4/27 - “Michael Vick is a better person than Barry Bonds, really America?”
22 marissa
// Apr 28, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Stabbing Pen: a) Like “Janice”, Chandler’s ex-girlfriend on Friends? b) Like Condoleeza Rice?
23 healing herbs
// Feb 3, 2010 at 5:04 pm
I know 2 snorters. help me!
Come out and play - Leave A Comment