Who invented the phrase LOL laugh out loud?

While the exact origin of "LOL" is unknown, it's widely believed to have originated in the early days of online communication, specifically on Usenet in the late 1980s or early 1990s.

Here's why:

* Early Usenet culture: Usenet was an early online forum system where users posted messages and engaged in discussions. This environment was ripe for the development of shorthand and abbreviations, making communication faster and more efficient.

* No single inventor: Unlike many inventions, "LOL" likely wasn't created by a single individual. Instead, it probably emerged organically as a natural abbreviation for the phrase "laugh out loud" within the Usenet community.

While the exact inventor remains a mystery, "LOL" became a staple of online communication and has since permeated popular culture.