The origin of the term "lbs"
Have you ever wondered why we use the abbreviation “lbs” to represent pounds in measurements? It’s a small but curious linguistic quirk that many people take for granted. The history of this abbreviation is not widely known, yet it carries a fascinating story that dates back centuries.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the origin of “lbs” as a form of measurement and uncover the intriguing journey it has taken through time.
Roman Roots
Our journey begins in the heart of ancient Rome, where Latin was the language of scholars and merchants alike. In those days, “libra pondo” was a phrase heard across the Roman Empire, meaning “a pound by weight” or “a pound in weight.” “Libra” referred to a Roman pound, and “pondo” spoke of balance and weight. Together, they formed the essence of pounds.
Over time, as Latin evolved into the various Romance languages and the concept of standardized measurements became more widespread, the abbreviation “lb” (from “libra”) continued to be used, and it retained the association with the scale as a symbol of balance and weight.
This historical connection between “libra” and the scale is why we still see the scale symbol used in contexts related to weight and measurements today.
Ancient Scribes
Now, picture yourself in a medieval monastery, where scribes toiled away, copying manuscripts by hand. In those dimly lit rooms, the art of abbreviation was born. Scribes, keen on saving precious parchment and time, needed to shrink words without losing their meaning.
For “libra,” they devised the symbol “lb,” derived from the Latin letter “L” (representing libra) and “b” (a clever shorthand for “balance” or “weight”). To make the abbreviation more precise, they added a superscript “s” to denote the genitive case—”pondo.” This transformation brought “libra pondo” to life as “lbs.”
The widespread use of Latin in medieval manuscripts played a crucial role in the adoption of “lbs” as the abbreviation for pounds. These manuscripts served as references for scholars, and their conventions gradually influenced everyday language and writing.
As a result, the “lbs” abbreviation became more prevalent in trade, commerce, and scientific documents, solidifying its status as the standard representation for pounds.
The Modern Era
The dawn of the printing press in the late Middle Ages was the catalyst for the standardization of “lbs.” This revolutionary invention brought consistency to written texts, solidifying “lbs” as the official abbreviation for pounds.
Today, “lbs” remains an internationally recognized symbol for pounds, both in the Imperial and United States customary systems of measurement.
Though its origins may be obscure to many, it serves as a living testament to the enduring influence of Latin on our modern languages and the power of handwritten manuscripts in shaping our written conventions.