How come 'and' and '&' mean one and the same thing?

Question

Is there any logic why we interchange one with another?
Or is '&' just a short form of 'and'? If it is then how come we dont have keys on our keyboards for other short forms like 'i.e.' for 'that is' or 'no.' for 'number' and so on.

Answer 1

How much sense would it be to read a sentence like this?

Mike & me went to the store. Pretty messed up huh?

An ampersand [&] is usually used for names of businesses like Barnes & Noble, Max & Erma's, Dave & Busters. Why? Oddly enough it started as a way for business owners to save money when they were paying for signs to be made. That might sound funny but that's why it was used 'way back when'.

The abbreviation 'keys' are limited so unless you invent a new keyboard, there really isn't a lot of room to put the ones that you mentioned. While it might seem like a short cut to use the ampersand in a sentence, most teachers will downgrade you and tell you to use "and" instead.

As far as 'number' being abbreviated on the keyboard, it is, look at your number three key, "#" is the symbol for 'number'.

Answer 2

Your question has already been answered by the enthusiastic ones before me.

But I just wanted to point out that it's interesting that "no." abbreviates "number". Where'd the "o" come from? Don't get me started on "lb."......

God bless.

Answer 3

Because thats an symbol forr "and" like that you said there should have been a symbol for i.e. also but it is an abbrivation form of " that is " ok

Answer 4

It is a symbol like LB= pound, = is equal
how many buttons do you want on your keyboard

Answer 5

& is the symbol that represents "and" just like # is "number" , @ is "at", % is "percent", $ is "dollar" .....certain words are represented by symbols and others arent ...and so you know I.E is an abreviation for example.....