Frequently Asked Questions
Symbols
What is the origin of the pound sign (£)? |
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This sign is simply a capital letter L, written in old-fashioned roundhand, with one or two crossbars to show that it is being used as a symbol or abbreviation. The L stands for the Latin word libra, the name of a Roman unit of weight, which also gave rise to the abbreviation lb for a pound as a measure of weight, and to the French word livre. The symbol for the Japanese yen was probably invented by analogy with the pound and dollar symbols, as it is a capital Y with one or two bars across it.
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Does the '¢' in the US cent sign stand for 'cent'?
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What is the origin of the pound sign (£)?
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