Why is 'example' abbreviated as e.g. when there is no letter g in the word?

Question

Some people really are idiotic - I asked the question because I clearly DID NOT know the answer. That is, after all, what yahoo answers is here for. DUH

Answer 1

Everyone so far has explained, correctly, that "e.g." is based on the Latin "exempli gratia". But no one has explained WHY we use a Latin abbreviation here in the first place. I assume you might want to know that piece too.

The answer is an historical one --

In medieval Europe Latin was the international language for academic use. This had a major advantage, for it enabled scholars of the various nations to communicate with each other, and so many continued the practice into modern times. When authors finally began to write academic works in their native languages (much of this in the 18th century), many found that the Latin abbreviations were still very useful and continued to use them,

Some other examples still used in 'ordinary' English writing:
cf. i.e., lb, no., viz., n.b., q.v., lb, etc.

Here's a convenient list, with the Latin and English meanings:
http://www.stcsig.org/sn/latin_abbreviations.shtml

One other note -- in most cases, the proper thing to do when you SEE one of these abbreviations is NOT to try to use the Latin words, and not simply to name the letters, but to speak the ENGLISH expression. (In other words, treat them as symbols. It's very much like the way speakers use their OWN language words for "1, 2, 3".)

Thus say
"for example" for e.g.
"that is" for i.e.,
"and so forth" for etc.

Answer 2

This is, in myn humble opinion wrong. We are speakiong English not Latin. There is no letter "G" in the word "example", therefore should not be part of the abbreviation for that word. As much as English is a very eliquent and expressive lanauge, it is becaause of stupid things like this why it makes no sense to people trying to learn it.

Answer 3

It's an abbreviation of the Latin phrase "Exlempli Gratia", meaning "example given". Loads of our words are derived from Latin, it can be fascinating working it all out. Difficult language to learn though!

Answer 4

It's latin: e.g. = (exempli gratia)
for [the sake of an] example

Answer 5

It's actually "for example" and it's from the latin, exempli gratia.

Answer 6

Well durr!
Classical education is obviously a thing of the past.

Exampli gratia

Answer 7

stands for exempli gratia - Latin

Answer 8

How can anyone possibly not know this?

Answer 9

it is just used in class lessons or anywhere because it is short for the actual word, for i.e, games, gamz...

hope this helps!

Rizla07!

Answer 10

latin equivalent shortform.