Why "example" is abbreviated as "e.g."?

Question

I remember I saw that in some English workbooks many years ago... thanks for helping me.

Answer 1

Check out this link

I've wondered this for a very long time. :) - RommpinCrab, Jan 1, 2011

Good research !!! - Fidalgo, Jan 1, 2011

Answer 2

Sometimes you will hear Brits saying "ergo" for e.g.

Also it is sometimes used instead of "therefore"

It's funny Ian, I never thought of the relationship of e.g. and ergo. Makes good sense!! - Yeser007, Jan 2, 2011

Answer 3

The good thing is that there is only two to worry about: i.e. and e.g.

et al / etc. (et cetera) / viz. (videlicet) / ms. (manuscript) / cf. (conferere) / op. cit. (opere citato [used in bibliographies]) / loc. cit. / loc. cit. (loco citato [used in bibliographies]) / a.m. (ante meridiem) / p.m. (post meridiem) / ...

American desk-top dictionaries published 50-60 years ago routinely contained a section (a dozen or so pages) devoted to Latin based abbreviations that are used in English.

Answer 4

I think it's a Latin thing: exempli gratis

Answer 5

Exempli gratia. Daphne is right about it being latin.

Answer 6

Yeah, English is weird and likes to use Latin abbreviations sometimes. The good thing is that there is only two to worry about: i.e. and e.g. and they, for all intents and purposes, mean almost the same thing.

Just to clarify, i. e. should be used to mean "that is" while e. g. should be used for "for example." - webdunce, Jan 1, 2011