People are only just learning what the word ‘laser’ really means – and it’s blowing their minds
PEOPLE have only just learnt what the word "laser" really means - and it's left them "questioning everything".
The word laser is actually an acronym and stands for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation".
It's been the official term for the technology since it was discovered in the 1950s.
Reddit users were left stunned after realising it wasn't a word of its own.
One said: "Yeah, you wouldn't want to say 'hey you got any light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation?' to someone else."
Another added: "Wait, what?"
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Another pointed out: "If you make an acronym and the L stands for laser then you technically have an acronym in your acronym."
Others were dubious.
One said: "I find it hard to believe since, when I was young, laser was also known as laZer (in France, because of the Z sound)."
Laser technology was created by Charles H. Townes and Arthur Shawlow 70 years ago.
The term was taken from masers, another acronym meaning 'Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation'.
It comes after people only just learned and why Snapchat is yellow.
Other words you likely didn't realise are acronyms
SCUBA: Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus
RADAR: RAdio Detection And Ranging
GIF: Graphics interchange format
TASER: Thomas A Swift Electric Rifle
CARE PACKAGE: Began as a Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE) package, when families sent items via the Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe following the Second World War.
SPAM: Special Processed American Meat