Definition:
Lorem Ipsum is the name given to the Latin text that is usually used as a test in graphic design projects and drafts to check the result of designs, spellings, colors or the distribution of space. The text depends on the necessary length, but it always starts with those two words and often simply repeats the same words or phrases endlessly.
There are automatic lorem ipsum generators that offer more or less extensive versions of text. The ultimate goal is only to check how the words printed or inserted (in a digital version) would look within a context, avoiding content that could distract attention or condition the observer.
History of lorem ipsum
This is not a new resource. It is believed that it was already used by book printers of the early sixteenth century, although it became popular in the 60s of the last century thanks to the famous transfer letters of the French company Letraset. The company included the famous fragment to promote the different types of fonts, styles and sizes of its letters.
The text of lorem ipsum derives from the philosophy treatise ‘De finibus bonorum et malorum (On the Limits of Good and Evil)’,written by Marcus Tullius Cicero in the first century BC.c. The original excerpt read as follows:
“Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem”.
However, the text used for graphic tests omits some words and letters, so that it becomes an unintelligible fragment in Latin. “Dolorem ipsum” (“the pain itself”), for example, becomes “lorem ipsum”:
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua”.
Its popularity resurfaced in the 80s, when Aldus Corporation, the germ of Adobe System, included it in its well-known web design program Aldus PageMaker. Other word processors, such as Microsoft Word, imitated him and used the expression as fictitious text. Even today it is used in digital marketing and web page development to include provisional content.
Lorem ipsum generators
Finding automatic lorem ipsum generators on the Internet is very simple, although you have to be very careful if you need a long extension. In recent years there has been a tendency to mask humorous text or inappropriate words within the original excerpt.
This would not be a problem in principle, since being words used only in drafts, it would be logical that only those who must work on a document would see them. However, it is not strange to find on web pages uploaded to the Net some lorem ipsum ‘forgotten’ and even abandoned on purpose in order to appear in more searches. Also, if the design is for an external client, you may prefer the classic version.
Some of the alternative lorem ipsum generators for those who opt for other options and are not a fear of the distractions of the reader are:
- Chiquito ipsum. Built with the famous expressions of the comedian.
- Picksum Ipsum. It includes famous dialogue from movies and even allows you to choose the preferred actor.
- Pirate Ipsum. Inspired by the ancient naval battles. It allows you to choose the number of words, phrases and paragraphs.
- Quixote Ipsum. Of a more serious nature, it reproduces fragments of the famous work of Miguel de Cervantes.