textual lubricant
Phrases such as "lol" or "lmao" used to ease the awkwardness of a conversation, even though you're not laughing at all.
He's so good at using textual lubricant, I feel so comfortable texting him!
She's not laughing at your jokes, that's just textual lubricant, bro.
She's not laughing at your jokes, that's just textual lubricant, bro.