numbers in french

[brim]

why do the french not have direct equivalents for 70,80 and 90 but use mutiples eg 4X20 for 80?

[Octavius]

Actually we are the odd ones out in Europe really.

Using the vigesimal (by 20) form of counting or numbering has been around for a long while in Europe. In England we used to say things like �four score and ten� meaning 90 or �four score and seven� (87).

Twenty was used as a basis for counting and many of the �quar� words we use today stem from Latin roots and base 20 counting was even used in Mayan and Aztec civilisations.

[saxy_jag]

So basically, then, it means the french haven't got beyond counting all their toes and fingers yet? ;-)

[jake-the-peg]

Does Four and twenty blacKbirds baked in a pie ring any bells?

I'd be careful saxy_jag - coming from a country that thought 20 shillings in a pound with 12 pence in a shilling was a good idea we've not got too much room for criticism!

Now how many hundredweight in a long and a short ton?

[Panic Button]

If the French had England and we had France, would you build a Chunnel?

[jake-the-peg]

You've obviously never been to Calais on a wet winter Sunday!

[SteveD]

Here in the French-speaking part of Belgium, 70 is "septante" and 90 is "nonante".

"Octante" is also used in Canada for 80.

[chinois]

Probably similar to our letter W. Havent quite got round to giving it it's own name have we?

As for the americans and their miscalculation of the number 1 billion, there's no excuses there...