Why is 'number' abbreviated as 'no' when there is no 'o' in number?

Tabby Tom

'No' represents the Latin 'numero', the ablative case of 'numerus', which is the word for number. Thus 'No 6' means 'six by number' or 'six in numerical order'. May 21 03, 6:35 PM

KingTT

Also, it's worth noting that 'lb' to stand for pound comes from the latin libra pundum, where Libra (the zodiac sign) meaning The Scales. Dunno where oz for ounce came from, though. Probably something similar. May 22 03, 9:38 AM

mibmob

It comes from uncia - a scribal corruption where the u becomes o and the z is not a z but a contraction of the other letters. It's like viz is a contraction of videlicet and the z is part of the scribal contraction. May 22 03, 12:10 PM

Create a Free FunTrivia ID to add to, request more/new answers, or edit this entry

Why is the name Richard abbreviated to Dick and where did this originate? Which rare human condition was first described in 1988 and is abbreviated to EHS? What does the actual word 'Jeep' stand for, is it an abbreviated form? Who coined the phrase 'Soap Opera' abbreviated to 'Soap',and what exactly does it mean in regard to a TV series?

1 The Number 10 For my tenth quiz, I will emphasize the number 10. Have fun all! 0-10 Tough 10 Q dg_dave Jun 19 03 1044 plays 2 The Number 5000 Hi! Thought I'd do a little research on the number 5000 and see what I could find to make a quiz about. Enjoy! 101+ Very Difficult 10 Q moonrockie Dec 20 01 1185 plays 3 The Number '13' The number 13 is a superstitiously feared number. Here's a little quiz about it and things numbered 13. 11-50 Average 10 Q TonyTheDad Mar 26 02 5268 plays