What does 'cc' in a letter mean?

Answer 1

Carbon copying, often abbreviated to c.c., was originally the technique of using carbon paper to produce one or more copies simultaneously with the creation of paper documents. On a typewriter, this would be done by placing carbon paper sheets between two or more sheets of paper in the machine, so that whatever was typed on the front sheet was copied onto the other sheets. This technique applies to written documents as well.

This practice declined with the advent of photocopying and other electronic means, although it is still used, for example, in manual receipt books which have a multiple-use sheet of carbon paper supplied, in order that the user can keep an exact copy of each receipt issued.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -

The term CC has found renewed use with the growth of the internet. Its purpose is similar even though its implementation has changed.

In e-mail, the abbreviation CC refers to the practice of sending a message as a "carbon copy" or "courtesy copy". That is, the receiver is not expected to reply or act. Typically, supervisory personnel are notified with CC.

Contrary to popular belief, CC is not meant for sending multiple copies, at least, not particularly. It is a perfectly legitimate practice to populate the To: field with several addresses.

The CC recipients are revealed to all recipients, and this may not be desirable, depending on the situation. An alternative field, BCC, or Blind Carbon Copy, is available for hidden notification. In common usage, To field recipients are the primary audience of the message, CC field recipients are others whom the author wishes to publicly inform of the message, and BCC field recipients are those surreptitiously being informed of the communication.-

Answer 2

When all typing was done on Typewriters the only way to make two exact copies was to put a piece of Carbon Paper underneath the piece that was being typed then a piece of paper under that , the carbon paper would leave a print of the letter on the paper underneath.

As typing is now predominantly done on Microsoft Word there is no need for carbon paper as you just ask for two copies on print. However 'cc' is still used to identify who needs to recieve a copy of the letter. In the past it would have identified how many carbon copies would need to be made while copying the original.

Answer 3

You typed a letter with multiple actual CARBON PAPERS to make the CARBON COPIES which the cc STILL stands for even though nobody under 30 really knows what carbon paper is.

The carbon copies were sent unsigned. In those dark days, if you had multiple addressees, you put signatures only on the copies to be treated as originals so you didn't have to type the same original multiple times.

Answer 4

it stands for "carbon copy" it means that a copy of the letter has been sent to the person next to that. It usually means that they are not the main person receiving the letter - but some one else who the letter concerns, or who might need information contained in the letter.

It's often just for good manners. for instance if I sent you a letter about a friend, I might send them a CC, so they know what's been said about them and we're not talking behind their back (although it's more commonly used in business, but that kinda thing!)

Answer 5

Carbon Copy

Answer 6

I agree it's from the old days of carbon copies, cc.

Answer 7

It's the power of the paper. I've got a turbocharged 2000 cc manilla jobby. Peace

Answer 8

Carbon Copy, see your first answer that's the correct original source for it.

Answer 9

It relates to the days when you used to put carbon paper between each copy of paper so that when you typed the letter on a typewriter, you would make multiple copies. Boy.. its so old fashioned now that I think about it.

Answer 10

Carbon Copy, i.e. the same letter has also been sent to another person or that a copy is being kept in the files.