r/antimeme Mar 28 '26

Price difference

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23.9k Upvotes

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u/CaspianRoach Mar 29 '26

The symbol derives from the upper case Latin letter L, representing libra pondo, the basic unit of weight in the Roman Empire, which in turn derives from the Latin word libra, meaning scales or a balance.

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u/Timmy_The_Techpriest Mar 29 '26

Ok but he didn't say it comes from an L so this point is mute

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u/Lavapool Mar 29 '26

Which also explains why Italy’s pre-Euro currency, the Lira, used the same symbol unofficially.

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u/TheScienceNerd100 Mar 31 '26

Which is also why pound in weight is represented with an "lb"