why does lbs stand for pounds?

Answer 1

Like most things, it's Latin. Libra means balaces in Latin(like the Zodiac sign), and it was also the name of a Roman unit of mass and was abbreviated lb, the s at the end just means more than one. We must have changed the word without changing the abbreviation.

Answer 2

This comes from the latin word Libra, which was the basic roman unit of weight, and is derived from the latin word for scales. It was equivalent to approximately 327g. The English pound was originally equivalent to the roman libra, and therefore pounds ended up with the abbreviation lbs.

The currency symbol for pounds sterling, is also derived from libra - it is a curly L with two bars across it.

Answer 3

Libra (Latin)=scales pounds is a unit of mass therefor lbs is pounds

Answer 4

Translated into Spanish pound sterling is "libras esterlinas", maybe it's some latinised form of the word that still stands, prior to the Anglo-Saxon term

Answer 5

LBS. stand for pounds

Answer 6

Latin for pound is libra

lb means pound

lbs means pounds

Answer 7

"Libra" is the Latin word from which "lb" is derived, just as, for example, "Pb" is lead (from "plumbum"). The abbreviation "lb" is less confusing in other languages; for example, in French the word for "pound" is "livre", which is much closer to the Latin root word.

Answer 8

From latin "Libra" balance.

Ian: In spanich libras is the word for pounds, like libras esterlinas (money) or weight.

Answer 9

Don't have a clue and I never really thought about it before but it's a good enough question to get a star from me.

Answer 10

The people who talk about libra (s) are correct.