#51: LOL
Language is a fascinating thing. It evolves, changes, and adapts to our immediate needs and eventually turns into something completely new if enough centuries pass. Interestingly enough, the phrase “lol” isn’t as modern as most of us might think. Today, “lol” is an acronym for “laugh out loud.” The acronym has been around long enough that most people know what it means. It’s even become a complete word of its own, in a sense.
However, the Dutch have been using “lol” for way longer. “Lol” is actually a Dutch word that means “having fun.” It’s not a new invention, either. “Lol” and variations of the word have been in use since the Middle Ages. The wild thing is, this overlap of language is a total coincidence. The acronym was invented as computer speak without any prior knowledge of the Dutch language!