> Stephen Mulraney wrote:
>
> > BTW, why do Americans call # ('hash', 'octothorp')
> the 'pound symbol' ??
>
> Because it used to be written *following* a number
> on bags full of
> stuff to indicate their weight in pounds, thus: 20#
> = 20 pounds
> weight.
>
> (One pound = 2.2 kg, for the maior et sanior part of
> the word.)
>
> --
> Not to perambulate || John Cowan
> <jcowan@...>
> the corridors ||
>
http://www.reutershealth.com
> during the hours of repose ||
>
http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
> in the boots of ascension. \\ Sign in Austrian
> ski-resort hotel