Since we say "two hundred dollars", then why does the $ sign come before the number (such as in $200.00) ?

Question

Asked a couple of people and they had no idea

Apparently in Europe, the Euro goes after the number like 50€ . And in Canada, or at least in Quebec I've seen it written 200$

Answer 1

That is an interesting question.

I do not know the answer but I am going to throw my 2 cents into the ring.

I would assume that the nature of the sign preceding the actual sum is to allow for knowledge of the forth coming number. I would also guess that this went back a number of year so that persons who were illiterate would know that when 'looking at' but not necessarily reading a number they would know it automatically meant currency. For instance a sign that read 200 miles would not mean anything to an illiterate person BUT a sign that said $2 would. It would mean that the exchange of funds would be necessary.

I realize my interpretation is somewhat flimsy but as I said I do not know and I did like the opportunity to answer the question.

Thanks

TFTP

Answer 2

I guess for the same reason that, for example, the french say une maison rouge......they notice that it's a house before they notice its colour...at least in language.....It's just another form of the character of a specific language.

Answer 3

It's the way of writing.
We write "write" as"write", why not as"rite"?????
Now which one looks correct to u 200$ or $200

Answer 4

So when you're reading something you know that it's dollars right away.

I don't know. It would look funny if it weren't.

200$

Answer 5

its a convention