LOL is officially irritating

Internet brand Yahoo! has polled net users on their pet hates when it comes to reading email.

Text speak is officially the number one pet peeve with 22 per cent of people finding the words LOL and BTW annoying.

The mass distribution of emails to five or more people riled 16 per cent of people, with 15 per cent being appalled at the use of shouting – using CAPITAL LETTERS.

Lower down the list of irritations came no entry in the subject line upsetting 12 per cent of people.

Finally, those insisting on a read receipt antagonised 10 per cent of email recipients.

Director of EU Communications Products at Yahoo! Dave McDowell said: “How many times have you sent an email with one of these pet peeves? We want you to be a better email citizen, so we are helping you craft brilliant emails with our new guide.

“No longer will an email from your Yahoo! account escape your grasp with text speak or shouting, when you log into Yahoo! Mail we are now providing you with a new email-etiquette guide, ensuring that users get the most out of their mail and rest assured there will be no LOLs to be seen!”

Visit www.yahoo.com to find out more.