From Lorem Ipsum to Modern Alternatives: A Guide to Placeholder Texts

When designing websites, apps, or any kind of digital platform, placeholder text plays a crucial role. This text helps guide the user interface by filling space before the final content is added. But have you ever wondered about the origins of placeholder text and why certain phrases are so widely used? In this article, we’ll explore examples of different placeholder text, their background, and the story behind them.

What is Placeholder Text?

Placeholder text is temporary content used in the layout or design phase of a project to fill in spaces where actual text will eventually go. Its main function is to simulate how the final text will look, giving designers and developers a visual sense of the page’s layout. The most common example you’ll encounter is “Lorem Ipsum,” but there are many alternatives, each serving a unique purpose or aesthetic.

The History of “Lorem Ipsum” - The Classic Placeholder

Let’s start with the granddaddy of all placeholder text: Lorem Ipsum. This nonsensical, Latin-based filler text has been in use for over 500 years. Its origins trace back to the 1500s, when a printer named Aldus Manutius used a scrambled version of Cicero’s “De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” (The Extremes of Good and Evil) to create a sample book. The aim was to show potential clients how typefaces would look without distracting content.

Why Latin? Latin was the dominant language of scholarly and intellectual work during that time, and using a classic language ensured that the focus remained on the typography itself rather than the content. Over the centuries, “Lorem Ipsum” has become a standard in the design and publishing industries.

Example of Lorem Ipsum placeholder text:
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Curabitur pretium tincidunt lacus. Nulla gravida orci a odio. Nullam varius, turpis et commodo pharetra, est eros bibendum elit, nec luctus magna felis sollicitudin mauris. Integer in nulla ac leo laoreet lobortis. Donec sed odio dui. Nulla vitae elit libero, a pharetra augue. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere velit aliquet. Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed consectetur.

Why Do Designers Use “Lorem Ipsum”?

The main reason “Lorem Ipsum” is so ubiquitous is that it mimics the look and feel of natural language without introducing actual readable content. This allows designers to focus on layout, font choices, and design elements without being distracted by the meaning of the text. Because it’s largely meaningless, it doesn’t skew the viewer’s attention from the overall design of the page.

Alternatives to “Lorem Ipsum”

While “Lorem Ipsum” is a classic, many designers today are opting for modern alternatives that fit the tone of their projects or appeal to the specific needs of their audience. Let’s explore some of these alternatives.

1. Bacon Ipsum

For meat lovers and food-related projects, Bacon Ipsum offers a humorous twist on the classic placeholder. Instead of random Latin words, it uses terms related to bacon, sausages, and other meats.

Example of Bacon Ipsum placeholder text:
Bacon ipsum dolor amet spare ribs boudin porchetta tri-tip frankfurter hamburger meatball. Ribs leberkas jerky jowl drumstick tongue pork belly biltong. Frankfurter turducken corned beef pork loin, pastrami bacon ribeye biltong. Shoulder filet mignon beef bacon short loin, ham hock prosciutto t-bone venison. Brisket landjaeger, chicken tail pork belly sausage turducken. Biltong meatball rump ham hock turkey ribeye, beef jerky pork chop shankle strip steak bresaola.

2. Hipster Ipsum

If you’re designing for a trendy, millennial-focused audience, you might opt for Hipster Ipsum. This placeholder text is filled with terms related to modern subcultures, like “artisan,” “beard,” and “vintage.” It’s a fun way to infuse your design with personality.

Example of Hipster Ipsum placeholder text:
Bacon gentrify selvage, hella mixtape yuccie drinking vinegar XOXO pug locavore bitters. Shaman chillwave slow-carb trust fund man bun venmo. Knausgaard butcher vice cray, mumblecore PBR&B. Thundercats DIY tilde, wayfarers ugh food truck. Flannel williamsburg selvage beard venmo forage aesthetic. Portland fixie biodiesel actually you probably haven’t heard of them.

3. Zombie Ipsum

For those working on projects related to Halloween, gaming, or horror, Zombie Ipsum is the perfect placeholder. It uses language inspired by zombie movies, with words like “brains,” “undead,” and “survive.”

Example of Zombie Ipsum placeholder text:
Brains are food for the undead. Zombies roam the earth in search of brains, always hungry for more. The undead crave the taste of human flesh and will stop at nothing to feed. Survivors run and hide, but the zombies are relentless, always on the hunt for their next meal. Only the strongest and smartest will survive in a world ruled by the undead.

4. Cupcake Ipsum

For sweet treats and confectionery-based projects, Cupcake Ipsum is a playful alternative. Filled with candy and dessert-related terms, it’s ideal for any design related to food and treats.

Example of Cupcake Ipsum placeholder text:
Cupcake ipsum dolor sit amet pastry cake croissant. Jelly-o sugar plum tiramisu. Chocolate cake lollipop cheesecake tart tiramisu gingerbread soufflé. Candy apple donut cookie sugar plum macaroon fruitcake cake powder. Lemon drops cotton candy chocolate bar toffee croissant danish marshmallow cake. Lollipop jelly-o candy toffee fruitcake pastry marzipan.

5. Filler Text from Popular Culture

For some projects, especially those with a strong connection to pop culture, you might find placeholder text from famous films, TV shows, or music. This kind of text appeals to a specific audience and can add an element of fun to the design.

Example:
“May the force be with you.”
“I am Groot.”
“You can’t handle the truth!”
“To infinity and beyond!”
“I’ll be back.”
“Here’s looking at you, kid.”

How to Choose the Right Placeholder Text

Choosing the right placeholder text depends on the nature of your project. Lorem Ipsum remains the most widely used because it serves as a neutral filler that does not distract from the design. However, creative alternatives like Bacon Ipsum or Hipster Ipsum can add personality to your design and resonate better with certain audiences.

When deciding, consider the tone of your website, the demographic you’re targeting, and whether your placeholder text will enhance or detract from your overall design. Ultimately, placeholder text should align with the project’s visual aesthetic and user experience goals.

The Evolution of Placeholder Text in Modern Design

As design trends evolve, so do the tools and resources available to designers. Modern placeholder text is no longer just about filling space—it’s become a tool to engage and entertain users. Many website and app developers now use customized placeholder text to create a unique experience that resonates with their audience.

For example, on landing pages for tech startups, you might find techy jargon or innovation-related terms. Alternatively, health and wellness brands may use terms related to mindfulness and fitness as placeholders to align with their message.

The Impact of Placeholder Text on User Experience

While placeholder text might seem trivial, it plays an important role in user experience (UX). A good placeholder guides users through the content without distracting them. Too much content can make the design feel cluttered, while too little can make it feel incomplete or unprofessional. Therefore, the choice of placeholder text is integral to creating a seamless experience, whether you’re building an e-commerce site, a portfolio, or a social media platform.

Wrapping Up: The Importance of Placeholder Text in Design

Placeholder text has come a long way since its humble beginnings with “Lorem Ipsum.” Today, designers can choose from a wide array of fun, quirky, and even industry-specific alternatives to make their work stand out. Whether you’re using the traditional Latin-based “Lorem Ipsum” or a more playful option like Bacon Ipsum, understanding the significance of placeholder text will help you create better, more engaging designs.