What does the "L" mean on a certain lens?

I have noticed that on certain lens, there is an "L" listed afterward.

What does this mean?

L = "luxury," Canon's top of the line, pro-series lenses.

L = empty wallet
L = divorce
L = luxury

L = Learner, i.e. often suitable for those who feel they need to spend lots of money to take a good shot.

LOVE, because I LOVE L lens!

Thanks, vjack!

Texas_Diver wrote:
I have noticed that on certain lens, there is an "L" listed afterward.

What does this mean?

$$$$$$$

Speaks the truth

L also means really Large and heavy.

Greetings,
If you haven't touch this lens before, don't ever touch it. L means L'cohol. It makes you a L'coholic, and will starts from Love of it , to Lust for more of it. And may increase your Liability, Lie to your spouse and Laughing at others without one. Thats Life with Canon L lenses. Enjoy...

I get the feeling from many posts in this thread that the L-series lenses are considered pricey but yet the same people who say this, have these lenses listed in their signature line.

So...bottome line, are these lenses worth the money for vacation snapshots?

if you aint got the money for one ,find it

As someone pointed out if you ever handle and use one your in trouble unless funding isn't an issue with you.

Their worth it to me but at the same time the fundamental post processing techniques need to learned too.

Yes they are pricey, but as with most things in life 'you get what you pay for'. I have a 24-105L IS and use it for 75% of my shooting. It covers a range I need and is a good quality lens for the money, and it has IS.

There is no doubt that they are constructed to last and in general do give extremely good results and usually offer a much faster maximum aperture than a 'non-L' equivalent.
That does not mean a non-L lens is not a good lens, there are many excellent 'normal' Canon lenses out there - The 85mm f/1.8 and 100mm f/2 spring to mind.

Be aware that both Sigma and Tamron make excellent quality lenses, usually at cheaper prices.
I have two sigma's and I'm extremely happy with them. The Sigma f/2.8 70-200 EX DG rivals the Canon in image quality and is much cheaper.

For vacation 'snapshots' I'm sure you could get a very good Canon zoom (Or Sigma) to cover your needs.
When I go away for a holiday (sorry, vacation )I usually just take a Point & Shoot digital, much easier to carry round - It all depends on what you want to take with you and where you are going...