The LOL ASCII meme is a cornerstone of early 2000s internet culture, appearing frequently on message boards, IRC chats, and early social media platforms. It typically features the word 'LOL' meticulously constructed out of other letters or symbols to create a larger, more impactful visual representation of laughter. Often associated with the 'Lulz' culture of 4chan and Something Awful, the ASCII version of 'LOL' evolved into various creative forms, including the famous 'LOL Man' or stick figures with 'LOL' limbs. Today, it serves as a nostalgic callback to the era of dial-up internet and forum culture, used to express genuine amusement or ironic appreciation for retro digital aesthetics.