Over the last decade, Caps fans have gotten to know Alex Ovechkin and watched him become one of the greatest goal scorers of all-time. Along the way, we’ve also been exposed to Ovi’s style of communication. There’s always lots of ha ha‘s and exclamation points. And parentheses.

Parenthesis use on social media grew out of Russia as an alternative to smilies. It’s similar to the use of terms like LOL, ROFL, and LIRL— just coded in a simpler way.

Have you seen those Discovery documentaries about elephant language? This is pretty much it.

Though there are no strict rules in parenthesis use, I have noticed certain patterns in the way people utilize them in Russia.

Generally, ) means something you’d say with a little smile on your face. Basically, it’s an expression of friendliness or pleasure more than anything and in my experience, is present almost after each message between close friends, unless discussing serious matters.

I found myself using )) as a reaction to an unfunny joke or a bad pun (think Adam Vingan). Something that you have to chuckle not to offend another person, but, well, try harder next time.

))) is a legitimate alternative to LOL. It’s also every bit as phony and washed up as LOL. If somebody sends you a message with a ))), make no mistake, they’re not laughing.

Now )))) is where it gets serious. I, for one, like to use it as an insurance policy to make sure my words are not taken seriously under any circumstance. It’s like saying, if you don’t believe it was said for fun, here’s your extra ). Case closed, no offense taken. Very good for jokes that may offend your overly sensitive friend.

More )s means that person is laughing. If it’s a response to your joke, you should be proud of yourself. George Costanza would’ve left the room in your place. It may also be accompanied by hahahahaha or ahahahahah. The number of ha’s is a subject for another study.

Ovi suffers from severe ) overuse. Let’s take a closer look.

)))маленький ОВИ!smalllllll ovi))) Фото опубликовано Alexander Ovechkin (@aleksandrovechkinofficial) Сен 16 2014 в 11:38 PDT

)))маленький ОВИ!smalllllll ovi)))

) used correctly. Alex is not laughing, but the picture is pretty funny. Please notice the consistence of ) use in Russian and English versions of a post. Alex knows what he’s trying to say.

It’s time to fishing!!!время порыбачить!)) Видео опубликовано Alexander Ovechkin (@aleksandrovechkinofficial) Сен 24 2014 в 3:48 PDT

It’s time to fishing!!!время порыбачить!))

) used incorrectly. Fishing probably deserves one ), but more is pushing it. It’s a smile, not a chuckle.

Evgeny Kuznetsov is clearly more careful with his )s preferring emojis instead, but certain tendencies are still visible.

Ковбой сегодня отдыхает))))кто не понял смотрите последнее фото @a0gr8 Фото опубликовано Evgeny Kuznetsov (@kuzy092) Окт 24 2014 в 7:15 PDT

Cowboy is resting today))) Who doesn’t get it see last photo by @a0gr8

) used correctly. Ovi and Kuzya had a lot of fun together last year. All )s are warranted, and maybe even more.

Полетели на родину!!! Варя Дима и я)))) pic.twitter.com/BDmuFTXbiJ — Evgeny Kuznetsov (@Kuzya92) June 1, 2015

Homeland bound!!! Varya, Dima, and me)))

) used incorrectly. Nobody is laughing on this picture. It doesn’t look like something funny is happening (really, there are few things more boring than a lengthy flight), so one ) to describe pleasure of being with friends would probably be enough.