Why is the symbol for a pharmacy a capital "R" with a check mark on its front leg?

Question

Why is the symbol for a pharmacy a capital "R" with a check mark on its front leg?

Question #121693. Asked by star_gazer.

Datsmeharse

Answer has 2 votes

Datsmeharse

15 year member
855 replies avatar

Answer has 2 votes.

It's most likely an abbreviation of the Latin word recipe, Rx, which itself is now known to denote 'prescription'.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_prescription#Format_and_definition

There are some who believe that the symbol refers to the God Jupiter, but this site debunks that theory, preferring instead a link to the Egyptian god Horus.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1641/what-does-the-pharmacists-symbol-rx-mean

Jun 02 2011, 6:59 PM

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Answer 1

This is called a prescription symbol.

Just as the ampersand symbol (&) is a stylised abbreviation of the Latin word "et" (meaning "and"), the crossed R is thought to be a stylised abbreviation of the Latin word "Recipe".
This is the imperative form of the verb "recipere" so literally means "Take..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_prescription

Answer 2

gmackematix
Answer has 0 votes

gmackematix
21 year member
3194 replies

Answer has 0 votes.

I knew stopping to get a cup of tea in the middle of answering was a bad idea. And the two sugars I had in it are probably not what the doctor (or dentist) ordered.

Jun 02 2011, 7:01 PM