Why is "number" abbreviated as "no"? When there is no "o" in number?

Question

this isnt a joke...i really would like to know the answer

Answer 1

By jove, you're a canny one!
Possibly an older euro version of number like numero or nombre.

Answer 2

Hi

The number sign # (also known as hash) is mostly used for counting or ranking lists (ordinal numbering), especially in names and titles.
If the # is placed behind a number it's called a pound sign in the US (3# of sugar), if precedes the number it's called number sign, other countries use lb. for pound instead
UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the rest of Europe use N°. If the superscript "o" isn't available then it's written as No. The abbreviation no. is also used.
In Germany the the Abbreviation Nr. for "Nummer" is commonly used.

Some information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_sign

so it depends i suppose

regards

Jam

Answer 3

Hope this helps---
The Numero sign (U+2116) or Number sign is used in many languages to indicate ordinal numbering, especially in names and titles, rather than the US-derived number sign, "#". For example, instead of "Number 4 Boxing Drive" or "#4 Boxing Drive", one could write "№ 4 Boxing Drive".

The symbol is a combination of the Latin letter "N" with a grapheme resembling the masculine ordinal indicator (or superscript "o", sometimes underlined).

On typewriters and computers that do not support this symbol, it is acceptable and commonplace to substitute it with the trigraph "No." (letter "N", letter "o", and a period).

On typewriters and computers that support the degree sign or (preferably) masculine ordinal indicator, a digraph starting with "N", such as "N°" or "Nº", may suffice as a substitute for the numero sign, but only if it is to be presented exclusively within visual media, in a typeface and sizing that results in a passable approximation of the numero sign. Such digraphs are inappropriate for representing the numero sign in computer data, in general.

Answer 4

Question - Why is Number abbreviated No.? There is no "o" in number!
Answer - No. is short for Numero and the abbrevitation stuck.

Answer 5

with all due respect to the poster above, I think it is probably more correct that it comes from the Latin - numero and not the French.

but same premise.

also, as for pound and lb, I think it is from the word libra

*

Answer 6

It's a shortform from the French "numero" which does have an 'o'.

Answer 7

i dont know. why is pound abbreviated lb, when neither of those letters are in the word.........................

Answer 8

tradition

Answer 9

i dont hv any idea
good luck

Answer 10

lol I have no idea but you're making me smile!