Annotation

From: Michael Everson (everson@evertype.com)
Date: Wed Mar 26 2003 - 10:00:47 EST

  • Next message: Kenneth Whistler: "Re: Annotation"

    According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English
    Language, page 1303, in the list of symbols and signs, it indicates
    that a symbol similar to the per-mille sign can be used to indicate
    "salinity". Nice annotation.

    Having said that, the etymology of the percent sign given on page 449
    of the New York Public Library's Writers Guide to Style and Usage
    makes me wonder if that salinity and per mille have the same origin.

    Apparently the % sign derived from N°/c < numero per cento 'to this
    number in a hundred'. The N was dropped, the c turned to an o, and
    then °/o became %

    The question.... :-)

    -- 
    Michael Everson * * Everson Typography *  * http://www.evertype.com
    


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