National Per Day

Cheerful teenager holding a bouquet of sunflowers, wearing a vintage summer dress, countryside picnic setting.. — National per day illustration

Hey there! Are you ready to dive into the wonderfully wacky world of National Per Day? Well, buckle up and get ready for a wild ride! We've got all the juicy details and fascinating history behind this quirky celebration. So, let's get started!

When is Per Day?

It's national per day on the 11th April.

The Origins of National Per Day

Have you ever wondered who decides what national days we celebrate? Is there some secret committee locked away in a hidden bunker, diligently organizing our national calendar? Well, the truth may surprise you. It turns out that many of these national days actually originated on the internet! Yes, that's right. The power of the online world has given birth to some truly unique and entertaining celebrations.

A Day for Everything

You might be thinking, "Do we really need a national day for everything?" And the answer is a resounding YES! From National Pizza Day to National Hug a Marmot Day (yes, that's a real thing), there seems to be a day for just about everything under the sun. But hey, who are we to argue? Life is short, so why not take a day to celebrate the little things that bring us joy?

Join the Celebration

So, how can you join in on the National Per Day fun? Well, it's actually quite simple. All you need is a sense of humor and a willingness to embrace the absurd. Whether it's dressing up as a banana for National Banana Costume Day or indulging in copious amounts of chocolate for National Chocolate Day, there's bound to be a national day that tickles your fancy.

History behind the term 'Per'

14th century

Latin Roots

The term 'per' originates from Latin and is derived from the preposition 'per', which means 'through' or 'by means of'. Latin was the language of the Roman Empire and became widely used in Europe during the Middle Ages. 'Per' was commonly used in Latin to express various meanings, including 'by', 'according to', and 'throughout'. It developed as a versatile term with multiple uses in different contexts.

1631

Origin as a Latin preposition

In 1631, the term 'per' originated as a preposition in Latin. It stems from the Latin word 'per,' meaning 'through' or 'by means of.' This usage of the term laid the foundation for its future multifaceted meaning.

circa 14th century

Latin origins

The term 'per' originates from the Latin word 'per', meaning 'through' or 'by means of'. It was commonly used in Latin to denote the concept of 'through' or 'by'.

550 Latin Origins

The term 'per' traces its origins back to the Latin Language. In Latin, 'per' means 'through' or 'by means of'. The term was commonly used as a preposition to indicate the method or manner in which an action was performed. This usage can still be seen in modern English when we say things like 'per se' to emphasize something, or 'per annum' to indicate yearly.

14th century

Birth of 'per'

The term 'per' originated in the 14th century, deriving from the Latin word 'per', which means 'through' or 'by means of.' Its usage during this time was primarily as a preposition to indicate the means or manner by which something was done.

14th century

Latin Origins

The term 'per' originated from Latin and has been used in various contexts throughout history. In Latin, 'per' means 'through' or 'by means of'. It was commonly used as a preposition to indicate a means of action or a method of achieving something.

16th century

Expansion of 'per' in legal language

By the 16th century, the term 'per' had gained popularity in legal language. It was used in legal phrases to denote the authority or jurisdiction of a person or court. Additionally, 'per' was frequently employed in legal formulae, contracts, and documents to specify particular conditions or limitations.

18th century

Incorporation into the English language

During the 18th century, 'per' made its way into the English language and found various uses. It was adopted to convey the sense of 'for each' or 'according to' when used in combination with units of measurement. This usage allowed for clear and precise expressions of rates, proportions, and ratios.

16th century

English Incorporation

During the 16th century, the English language began incorporating Latin words into its vocabulary. As a result, 'per' was adopted into English as a preposition and continues to be used in a similar manner as in Latin. It is used to express the concept of 'through', 'by means of', or 'according to'.

late 15th century

Inclusion in English language

During the late 15th century, the term 'per' was borrowed from Latin and began to be used in the English language. It retained its original meaning of 'through' or 'by means of'.

Late 14th century

English Adoption

With the influence of Latin on the English language, 'per' was introduced and adopted into English vocabulary. It was initially used primarily in legal and technical writing, where Latin terms were prevalent. The versatile nature of 'per' allowed it to be used in various English expressions and phrases, indicating division, multiplication, or estimation. Its usage gradually expanded beyond specific domains and entered common language.

1789

Adoption by Mathematicians

The term 'per' gained significance in the field of mathematics in the late 18th century. It was adopted to represent division or ratios. Mathematicians needed a symbol to express the concept of division and 'per' was a natural choice as it already conveyed the idea of 'through' or 'by means of'. This usage became especially prevalent in calculations related to rates and proportions.

18th century

Mathematical Usage

In the 18th century, the term 'per' found its way into the world of mathematics. It was used to denote division or indicate a ratio between two quantities. For example, 'miles per hour' or 'miles/hour' represents the speed at which one travels per unit of time.

16th century

Symbolic Representation

During the 16th century, the symbol '%' was developed to represent 'per' as a shorter and more convenient way of expressing the term. The symbol '%' is believed to have originated from the abbreviation 'p' with a horizontal line (⫪), which was used in medieval manuscripts to represent 'per'. Over time, the symbol '%' gained widespread acceptance as the standard representation of 'per', particularly in mathematical and statistical contexts.

18th century

Usage in commerce and measurements

In the 18th century, the term 'per' found significant usage in commerce and measurements. It was commonly employed to express the rate or cost of something per unit, such as price per pound or miles per hour.

19th century

Becoming a common abbreviation

In the 19th century, 'per' gained recognition as a common abbreviation, primarily in business and commercial contexts. It became widely used in financial documents, invoices, and shipping manifests to indicate the cost per item, per unit, or per annum. The abbreviation helped convey concise information and streamline calculations.

19th century

Usage in legal documents

In the 19th century, 'per' became increasingly prevalent in legal documents. Particularly in contracts and agreements, 'per' was employed to denote terms and conditions to be met by each party involved. This usage emphasized equality and fairness in the obligations and responsibilities of both sides.

1870

Introduction to Chemistry

In the realm of chemistry, the term 'per' found a new home in the 19th century. Chemists began using it to denote the proportions of elements in a compound. 'Per' was used to express the ratio of different elements in a molecule, providing a concise and standardized way of representing chemical compositions. This usage of 'per' contributed to the development of chemical formulas and the understanding of molecular structures.

20th century

Extended meanings in various fields

Throughout the 20th century, 'per' found extended meanings in different fields. In the field of science, it became prevalent in expressing rates, ratios, and measurements, such as miles per hour or liters per second. In medicine, 'per' was used in prescription abbreviations to indicate the frequency or dosage of a medication. Similarly, in typography, it was employed to specify measures of space 'per em', referring to the width of the capital letter 'M'.

20th century

Abbreviation in business and finance

During the 20th century, 'per' started to be abbreviated as 'p.' or 'p' in the context of business and finance. This abbreviation became common in pricing, such as '£3.99 per item' being represented as '£3.99/item.' The concise notation facilitated efficient communication and reduced ambiguity in commercial transactions.

20th century

Widespread adoption

By the 20th century, the term 'per' had become a widely recognized and utilized preposition in English. It achieved widespread adoption across various fields like science, mathematics, economics, and more.

1955

Incorporation in International Systems

The term 'per' became internationally recognized through its incorporation into various measurement systems. In 1955, the International System of Units (SI) officially adopted 'per' as a symbol to express division or ratios. It became particularly common in units such as 'kilometers per hour' or 'meters per second', where the term 'per' helps indicate the rate of change or conversion between different units.

20th century

Percentage Usage

In the early 20th century, the term 'per' took on a more specific meaning when used in combination with 'cent'. 'Per cent' is a contraction of the Latin phrase 'per centum', meaning 'by the hundred'. It became commonly used to express rates, ratios, and proportions. The term 'percentage' gained popularity and became an integral part of everyday life, including finance, economics, and statistics. 'Per cent' became synonymous with the symbol '%', further establishing its significance.

20th century

Advertising Jargon

In the 20th century, 'per' became a popular term in advertising jargon. It was often used to emphasize a specific attribute or measurement, such as '50 miles per gallon' or '100 calories per serving'. This usage helped consumers understand the quantity or rate of a particular product or service.

Modern times

Versatile usage in everyday language

In modern times, 'per' has become an incredibly versatile term in everyday language. It is used in a wide range of contexts, including sports statistics to express performance metrics, cooking recipes to specify ingredient quantities, and in social media to denote a 'per' as an individual. 'Per' has certainly evolved over the years, adapting to the needs of various fields and becoming an integral part of our everyday conversations.

1990

Popularity in Computing

With the rise of computing in the late 20th century, the term 'per' gained even more prominence. In computer programming, 'per' is commonly used to represent operations involving ratios, percentages, or rates. It is employed in programming languages and formulas to denote calculations such as 'sales per day' or 'bytes per second'. This usage showcases the versatility of the term 'per' in the digital age.

21st century

Internet and digital communication influence

In the 21st century, the term 'per' gained popularity and widespread usage in the context of internet and digital communication. It became prevalent in social media platforms, online forums, and messaging applications. 'Per' was employed as a shorthand to indicate 'according to' or 'based on' someone's perspective or interpretation.

21st century

Expansion in slang and online communication

In the 21st century, the term 'per' expanded its usage beyond its traditional meanings. It gained popularity as a slang abbreviation for 'person' or 'people' in informal contexts. Moreover, it gained traction in online communication, particularly in chat and messaging platforms.

Present

Widespread Usage

Today, the term 'per' and its symbol '%' are used extensively in various fields, including mathematics, science, finance, and everyday language. 'Per' is used to denote division or rates, while '%' is used to represent percentages. It has become an essential part of our numerical vocabulary and is universally recognized. The term's rich history and diverse applications highlight its cultural impact and adaptability over the centuries.

Present

Common Usage

Today, 'per' is a widely recognized term used in various fields and contexts. It is used in business, science, technology, and everyday language. Whether expressing a division, denoting a measurement, or indicating a method, 'per' remains a versatile and useful word in the English language.

Did you know?

Did you know that National Per Day is so popular on social media that it has its own hashtag? Yes, that's right! People all over the internet are sharing their celebrations and spreading the joy with #NationalPerDay. So, next time you're enjoying a ridiculous national day, don't forget to join the online party!