i started [ ]***************888888 also claw. probably early-mid 2008.
U know when u make a mistake you put the asterix (*) to correct yourself?
When the tickbox craze started on 2+2 i believe, i used the above to slowroll fellow players on the table when i said good luck.
Often i would say GL, they would reply "TY" and then i would hit them with the [ ]********************, (more asterix's for a more infatic (sp) delivery. Once you took your finger off the shift key whilst doing the above you sometimes hit a few 8's as you are eager to get your shot in. It just stuck.
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111111111111111111111oneoneoneeleventyonehundredandeleven