Re: Annotation

From: Kenneth Whistler (kenw@sybase.com)
Date: Wed Mar 26 2003 - 13:48:31 EST

  • Next message: Michael Everson: "Re: Annotation"

    Michael,

    > 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.

    http://www.rosat.mpe-garching.mpg.de/mailing-lists/tetex/9605/msg00027.html

    http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/ocng_textbook/chapter0.htm#6.1

    And the reason why U+2030 PER MILLE SIGN is the right answer is
    that salinity is measured in grams per 1 kg of solution.

    >
    > 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.... :-)

    Yes, what is the question?

    --Ken

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

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