When smileys are not enough
Most of the world sees us as that strange people that hides himself behind some letters, but come on!, what's wrong if I/we like the text mode?.
There is only 1 wrong spot, when our smileys are not good enough. We can be happy :) or sad :(, worried :/, kiss :*, sunglasses mode on B). In fact, most of times we can express our happiness \o/ or worry /o\, even make some questions o/.
But the trends are moving fast and stuff like :thumbsup: or :like: is not easy to say, so we have to make up our own way to say that it's ok, once ob or twice dob.
Imagination always wins.