Re:Mathematicians should stop naming things after each other
by ben_w on Saturday September 05, 2020 @04:28PM
(#24386621)
I think that’s because when science started to get serious, Latin happened to be the lingua-Franca of those in Europe who could afford to be part of it. Equivalent deal for why we use Arabic numbers.
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Re:Mathematicians should stop naming things after each other
by srtjstjsj on Saturday September 05, 2020 @06:46PM
(#24387450)
But Latin was used specifically because is was NOT a common tongue.
Re:Mathematicians should stop naming things after each other
by ben_w on Saturday September 05, 2020 @07:51PM
(#24387758)
I wouldn’t be surprised if I turn out to be wrong, but I was taught the causal chain was:
1. The Romans spoke Latin 2. Catholic church based in Rome, did everything in Latin 3. Between tithes and indulgences, church got rich and powerful 4. The rich and powerful keep learning Latin to keep up to date with news from the other rich and powerful