The term 'smol' is a deliberate misspelling of 'small,' used online to describe things that are tiny, cute, and evoke a sense of protection. Emerging from social media platforms like Tumblr and Twitter around 2015, it evolved into a widespread internet slang often associated with the phrase 'smol bean.' The meme typically features incredibly small animals or characters placed in situations that highlight their diminutive size. It serves as a way for internet users to express affection for the harmless and vulnerable, or to create a humorous contrast between something tiny and a large, imposing environment.