![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbhviQL2Q6VgLvDYBnvrnK3ggAWo1Fkwak8ZJgEs79PqL/image.png)

<h1>What is HODL?</h1>

*I had to look this up.  What is HODL?*

It's HOLD misspelled because it was typed too quickly.  It means "Don't sell.... hold on to it."  The misspelling is because the user is so concerned with getting the word out to "HOLD" that they misspell it.  

Or, in the real world situation below, the speculator did not sell when the asset dropped in value.  He said "I AM HODLING"

<h1>This is the origin of HODL</h1>

It comes from a thread back in 2013 from bitcointalk.org.  Someone got drunk and lamented how BTC was crashing, but he won't sell because he's a bad trader.  

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVRzEmGbY7r9P7ZMTjJ5ugEFjVcWXyhNeM4aneWVbRSBm/image.png)*This is bitcoin dropping from $700 to $400.  If he only knew... just HODL 4 more years until at least 2017.*

<h1>The thread that started it all...</h1>

There's some language, so I'm not quoting the whole thing: 
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=375643.0


>I AM HODLING

>BTC crashing WHY AM I HOLDING? I'LL TELL YOU WHY.  It's because I'm a bad trader and I KNOW I'M A BAD TRADER. 

>so i've had some whiskey actually on the bottle it's spelled whisky
w/e sue me (but only if it's payable in BTC)

<h1>Everyone Chimes in  HODL!</h1>

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdPUqmDj1VStgSWMsshaeCwhDpeJVnSsmWnNNP5PhsFZd/image.png)

<h1>WE OL SHAL HODL!</h1>

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRLZxM23WdkJuZyDFaGJ5R8qAi2n7PAhkdpkHFa5WGCn1/image.png)

...and so history was made.  HODL became a thing.  And we're still using the phrase today.  And it's not probably going away soon.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmX1FrrXMqpdSnrhUA2cBeb1yHsoba2Dt5s4AC8as1K3c1/image.png)

<h1>Celebrating Four Years of HODL!</h1>

If you were smart in 2013 and bought and HODL'd a couple of Bitcoin at $430 until now, then congratulations.  HODL has made you a wealthy person.  Say $15K/bitcoin?  But don't sell... HODL!

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWPYGtHHntndRgFSSkiRJta3pi1tTjfozRurt5g3t68DA/image.png)

Happy birthday HODL, December 18th 2017 will be your FOURTH year of pop culture usage.   HODL on!  STEEM on!

@ironshield