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

[Harry G. Osoff]

and X marks the spot


On Sep 18, 2006, at 2:09 PM, John Henderson wrote:

That article, from the US Pharmasist, cites The Straight Dope for its
information, and Cecil Adams, once rumored to be a closet stumpers
participant, summarizes the main points Jeanne outlined, so it looks
like we are going in circles.

John Henderson
Ithaca College Library
jhenderson at ithaca.edu

Harry G. Osoff wrote:
> Found this article
> http://snipurl.com/wm32
>
>
> On Sep 18, 2006, at 9:23 AM, Jeanne Schramm 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
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