Why is “lb” used as the abbreviation for “Pound”?
Anyone know how that abbreviation came to be used for pound?
Top 4 Answers
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lb: Libra (Latin: Pound; unit of mass)
Source:
Acronym Finder
Origin of ‘Libra’
zodiac constellation has been in use since1398,
From L. libra, lit. “pound, balance,” from Mediterranean base
*lithra- “a scale.”
Short form of Libra’ is lb.
Etymology Dictionary
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The word ‘pound’ is abbreviated ‘lb.’ after the constellation ‘libra’ because it means ‘pound’ in Latin, and also ‘scales’. The abbreviation for the British Pound Sterling comes from the same source: it is an ‘L’ for Libra/Lb. with a stroke through it to indicate abbreviation.
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It’s from Libra – which were both the scales used to do the weighing, and the weights used on the scales
The reason that is is specifically used for pound though is that the proper name for the weight nearest to a modern pound was Libra Pondo
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From Latin word “libra”.
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