'Plumbum' to 'Plumbers' — the connection unveiled!
Merriam-Webster just revealed a fascinating connection between the periodic symbol Pb and the word ‘Plumbers’ in one of their Insta posts
Published 08.06.23, 09:15 AM
Image courtesy: merriamwebster/Instagram
This one’s for all the trivia enthusiasts! Merriam-Webster just revealed a fascinating connection between the periodic symbol Pb and the word ‘Plumbers’ in one of their Instagram posts. As we know, this little symbol stands for lead. But hold on to your pipes because there's an interesting backstory to it!
In the ancient times of togas and gladiators, the Romans had a fancy Latin word for lead - "plumbum." And guess what? That's where "plumbers" got their name! Back then, the Romans were all about lead pipes for their waterworks. So, the ingenious craftsmen responsible for crafting and fixing those pipelines were called "plumbarius" in Latin. Over time, "plumbarius" got anglicised to "plumber" and stuck around till today.
We know that lead isn't the ideal material for plumbing due to its nasty toxic effects. But isn't it cool how the name "plumbers" still reminds us of those ancient connections? So, the next time you see Pb on the periodic table, remember that it's more than just a symbol. It's a quirky nod to lead, plumbing, and the many linguistic adventures of the past!
— Ananya Kesh
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