In my previous answer, I was told that lb is used for pounds because of the Latin word Librum. Now my question is, why is lbs. then written for the plural "pounds". From what I know about the English language (and therefore the Latin language), shouldn't the plural be something like "libra"? Why is there an "s" put at the end?
If librum is in Latin, then why is lbs. for more than one pounds?
2006-08-25 07:13:36 · 5 answers · asked by The Prince 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
The S was added to the end because it is too confusing in general in the English language for anything to be plural without an S at the end.
2006-08-25 07:21:55 · answer #1 · answered by Cinnamon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
librum is singular I believe. Somewhere along the line it became libras for plural, that's why it's lbs.
2006-08-25 14:17:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just another quirk of the English language. Your logic is correct based on the Latin. However, lbs. is pounds. Just like oz. is ounces.
2006-08-25 14:19:47 · answer #3 · answered by Jill&Justin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Professorial Version: "Because English is a living language, originally comprised of elements of both Latin and German, following many differing rules, and having terms and/or versions of words that evolve over time, depending on usage..."
The Man-On-The-Street Version: "Because people are idiots..."
2006-08-25 14:23:52 · answer #4 · answered by Julia A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question.
2006-08-25 16:59:35 · answer #5 · answered by Kes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋