[PW] Re: "x" in Rx (prescription)

[Dan Clinton]

"The R originally was an R with a slash through the extended tail
and the x was used when moveable type came along)."

This is correct. The R with the hooked tail is the Latin abbreviation for "recipe" which was followed by the directions for mixing and dispensing the medication. The etymology in the American Heritage is correct "symbol used in prescriptions, abbreviation of Latin recipe, singular imperative of recipere, to take".

Dan Clinton / Census Library / Suitland, MD


>From: Jeanne Schramm <jeanne.schramm at gmail.com>
>Date: 2006/09/18 Mon AM 10:42:04 CDT
>To: list at project-wombat.org
>Subject: [PW] Re: "x" in Rx (prescription)

>I'm not sure that she asked her pharmacist what "Rx" stood for. When she
>asked me she specifically was interested in the "x."
>Jeanne Schramm
>
>On 9/18/06, Phalbe Henriksen <phenriksen at neflin.org> wrote:
>>
>> The Rx is short for "recipe." Your mother's pharmacist may want to go
>> back to college.
>>
>> Phalbe Henriksen ~ pharmacist's daughter and sister
>>
>>
>> At 09:23 AM 9/18/2006, you wrote:
>> >     The patron here is my mother.  She is wondering what the "x" in "Rx"
>> >stands for. She asked her pharmacist and he has no idea.  I have found
>> lots
>> >of opinions, but I would like to get something from an authoritative
>> source.
>> >The main opinions surrounding Rx seem to focus on: 1. Latin for recipe,
>> 2.
>> >Corruption of the symbol for the Eye of Horus, the Egyptian symbol of
>> >healing and good fortune,   3. Corruption of the ancient symbol for the
>> >Roman god, Jupiter.
>> >     The R originally was an R with a slash through the extended tail
>> (and
>> >the x was used when moveable type came along).
>> >     Does anyone have any information as to which of these theories is
>> the
>> >one accepted in the medical and pharmacological communities?  TIA
>> >     Jeanne Schramm, WLSC, W. Liberty, WV   26074
>> >_______________________________________________
>> >Project Wombat
>> >list at project-wombat.org
>> >http://www.project-wombat.org/
>>
>>
>>
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