It comes from China, was developed in the republican era. It's based on a shorthand modification of seal script - though Japan was very influential on the elite of China at that time so it's possible Katakana played some role.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_script

Most katakana were derived from Chinese characters by taking a part of that character (whereas Hiragana are simplified cursive forms of a whole Chinese character). The メ part is part of many Chinese characters.

Would you please stop posting flamebait to Hacker News? We can accounts that won't.

Ok, but in that case you need to stick to facts and not add swipes like "roll eyes" and "Are doing ignoring what I wrote on purpose?".

Your comment would have been better received without the insult.

You probably don't even realise that comments like the one I replied to are somewhat insulting...

Firstly, that's irrelevant and doesn't make your actions acceptable. Secondly, indirect insults due to ignorance are more forgivable than a direct verbal attack.

I did not insult nor verbally attack anyone. I expressed my mood. I'm sure people here have a thick skin... or not.

Questioning the toughness of fellow commenters belies your effort to engage in good-faith intellectual discussion.