Internet Laughter: How People Laugh Online Across the Globe

Laughter might be universal, but its digital representation is far from it. In Thailand, people type "55555" because the number five is pronounced as "ha." In China, "23333" is a popular code for laughter derived from an old forum emoji. While "jajaja" is the standard in Spanish-speaking countries, South Koreans use "ㅋㅋㅋ" (kkk) to mimic the sound of chuckling. The French use "MDR" (Mort de Rire), their equivalent of the English "LOL." These linguistic quirks show that even in a globalized digital world, local identity remains strong through humor.