&

[kentishbear]

How and when did the symbol "&" become to mean "and" in the English Language? eg phrases & sayings!

[jno]

I think it was used by medieval scribes to save time, in the days before printing. It's called an ampersand.

[factor-fiction]

I have read a few times that it used to be regarded as a letter in the alphabet in the late 19th/early 20th century when the alphabet used to have 27 letters. Can anyone substantiate this?

[novalis]

From Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable:-
"The character & for "and". In the old hornbooks, after giving the 26 letters, the character & was added( ...x, y, z & ) and was called "Ampersand", a corruption of "and per se and", i.e. the symbol itself represents "and". The symbol is an adaptation of "et" ( Latin for "and" ) as can be seen in the italic ampersand where the e and the cross of the t are clearly visible.

[Quizmonster]

The 'word' itself - in the form a per se - is first recorded in 1475.

[kentishbear]

thanks for the answers everyone, i appreciate it.

[Jillius]

I've thought that before....................also, why is missus shortened to mrs when there isn't an r in the word missus ??

[novalis]

Jillius,
Both Mrs. and missus are corruptions of mistress, an old title to given to a married woman.

[Jillius]

Well ! I never thought of that novalis ! You learn something new every day. Thanks.