If you’re unfamiliar with what LEGO actually stands for, you might be surprised by the meaning behind this four-letter word.
LEGO has been a significant part of many people’s childhoods, and even adulthood, with its range of collectibles inspired by various films and TV shows. However, despite its prevalence in pop culture, few ponder the actual meaning of LEGO.
Interestingly, the Danish company founded by carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen wasn’t initially focused solely on toy building.
This story dates back to the Great Depression, the global financial downturn of 1929, which compelled Christiansen to seek innovative ways to sustain his business.
He started crafting easily marketable products like ladders, ironing boards, and other household items. To increase revenue, the businessman ventured into the production of wooden toys in 1932.
By 1935, the toy segment of his business had become so lucrative that Christiansen decided it warranted a new name.
LEGO’s website notes, “Kristiansen allegedly holds a competition among his employees to find a good name for the business. The competition winner (who can claim the prize of a bottle of Ole Kirk Christiansen’s homemade wine) is … Ole Kirk Christiansen himself.”
Prepare yourself for the meaning behind LEGO, which actually consists of two words.
Christiansen’s winning name in the competition was a combination of the Danish words ‘LEG GODT,’ translating to ‘Play Well.’ This name has been ‘officially used’ since January 1936.
LEGO’s site states, “The intention of the name is to reflect quality and children’s right to enjoyable play.”
Reflecting on his strategic shift to toy production, Christiansen wrote in a letter: “It wasn’t until the day I told myself, ‘You’ll either have to drop your old craft or put toys out of your head’ that I began to see the long-term consequences.
“And the decision turned out to be the right one.”
It didn’t take long for people to share their thoughts on social media about the history and meaning behind LEGO’s name.
One user on Twitter/X remarked: “That is interesting,” while another said: “Fun with linguistics.”
A third humorously noted: “I thought it meant foot killer.”
Another added: “I thought it meant ‘painful at 2am,” and yet another commented: “Synonym: floor weapon. Painful when stepped on.”