Why do we write "$100" instead of "100$"?

[notfred]

We SAY "100$" but when we write it out, it's "$100". Why? In every other numeric unit we use, we write it the same way as we speak it - with the units following the value. We don't write "%20" or "lbs50" or "km75", so why the hell do we write "$100"?

 

[TMPadmin]

That's just the way it is. Good question?

 

[DnetMHZ]

just to make you ask why...

 

[Scarpozzi]

Good question... I'd guess it might have started from the English or some other country? I don't think it would have originated in the US because we didn't invent our language...

It would help though when you're stating abbreviations for large amounts of money. $1B = 1 billion dollars

 

[richardycc]

?Que pasa

 

[Eli]

I've often wondered this myself, because I have a habbit of typing 20$, because.. that's the way you say it.

But often I'll go back and correct myself, $20.. if I want to be official or something.

 

[TMPadmin]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Good question... I'd guess it might have started from the English or some other country? I don't think it would have originated in the US because we didn't invent our language...

It would help though when you're stating abbreviations for large amounts of money. $1B = 1 billion dollars

Using NotFred's logic then you would just write 1B$. Looks just as good to me. I think we should change it. I like it better with the $ after.

 

[Linflas]

Origin of the dollar sign

Although the $ sign originally referred to a Spanish coin, it was
the revolting British -> American colonists who made the transition
from ps to the new sign. (This is apparently also why we write $1
instead of 1$; it mimics the British use of the pound sign.) So,
while it did not originally refer to the U.S. dollar, the symbol
does legitimately claim its origins in that country.

 

[desy]

They probably used to write it $100.03c for the cents
Maybe?

 

[Eli]

Why doesen't the $ on the computer have 2 vertical lines through it? 😛

 

[filmmaker]

I believe it is so when we are reading it that we antipate that it will be a numberical money ammount. Like $456,676,435.78. 😀

 

[StageLeft]

Cause it's good for you.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: filmmaker
I believe it is so when we are reading it that we antipate that it will be a numberical money ammount. Like $456,676,435.78. 😀

You do realize that (most...) learn to stop reading 1 character at a time in like, 1st grade? 😛

 

[hjo3]

If it bothers you, you could always express monetary amounts in cents with the ¢ symbol... maybe add a "c" in front of it to represent "centicents."

$100 > 100c¢.

I dunno.

 

[TMPadmin]

Originally posted by: Eli
Why doesen't the $ on the computer have 2 vertical lines through it? 😛

I think I remember that one line is actually a peso where two lines is for the dollar. So all computers are incorrect.

 

[hjo3]

No, you can write it either way.