Michael, > According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English > Language, page 1303, in the list of symbols and signs, it indicates > that a symbol similar to the per-mille sign can be used to indicate > "salinity". Nice annotation. > > Having said that, the etymology of the percent sign given on page 449 > of the New York Public Library's Writers Guide to Style and Usage > makes me wonder if that salinity and per mille have the same origin.
http://www.rosat.mpe-garching.mpg.de/mailing-lists/tetex/9605/msg00027.html http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/ocng_textbook/chapter0.htm#6.1 And the reason why U+2030 PER MILLE SIGN is the right answer is that salinity is measured in grams per 1 kg of solution. > > Apparently the % sign derived from N�/c < numero per cento 'to this > number in a hundred'. The N was dropped, the c turned to an o, and > then �/o became % > > The question.... :-) Yes, what is the question? --Ken > -- > Michael Everson * * Everson Typography * * http://www.evertype.com >
