Originally derived from the digga pronunciation of the English word "love", it has now wholly eclipsed the English word in usage and meaning.

Now it is a Kannada slang word meaning "romantic intent" but carrying more suggestive overtones. Road-side Romeos distinguish this word from a similar yet orthogonal word dau which means "lustful intent" and is more anatomical in execution.

The gap between lau and dau is the saga of frustruated youth in Bangalore.

Lau is just how some people pronounce love.