o̲

Swedish

Alternative forms

• o

Etymology

Origin unknown. Possibly:

• To visually enhance o (“and”) to clarify its separation from surrounding letters and words. Confer with English w/, Spanish c/, and Danish m/.
• An abbreviation of och (“and”).
• A continued evolution of & or o., similar to how @ developed from à.

The Language Council of Sweden believes that the first explanation, to visually enhance o (“and”), is most likely the correct one. But also acknowledges that the second explanation, an abbreviation of och (“and”), may have played a part.

Conjunction

o̲ (siglum)

1. &, and

   Synonyms: och, &

   mjölk, ägg, socker o̲ äpplen

   milk, egg, sugar and apples

   Advokatfirma Björkman o̲ Lind

   Law Firm Björkman & Lind