lots

The modern informal quantifier 'lots' has a rich history stemming from the concept of fate and allocation. It originates from the Old English 'hlot', a word shared with other Germanic languages, referring to an object like a pebble or straw used in casting lots to make a decision or divide possessions. This concrete notion of a 'portion' obtained by chance evolved semantically to mean a 'share' or 'portion' of anything, and eventually, by the 18th century, generalized to mean a 'large number or amount' when used in the plural form. The journey from a physical token of fate to an abstract indicator of quantity illustrates how language repurposes concrete terms for expressive, figurative use.

The word 'lots' is the plural form of the noun 'lot'. 'Lot' is a simplex word of Germanic origin, derived from Old English 'hlot', meaning an object used to determine someone's share, a portion, or fate.