TIL that the exact meaning of the letter “p” in the pH scale is unknown because the inventor never bothered to explain what it stood for.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PH#History

118 points · 16 comments · view on lemmy.world

16 Comments

Thteven@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 3y

I bet it stands for Peter, that cheeky bugger.

TinaGurner@sh.itjust.works · 11 pts · 3y (3 replies)

Definitely ‘penis’.

Potato_in_my_anus@lemmy.ml · 5 pts · 3y (2 replies)

I really think it's "potato"...

Okalaydokalay@lemm.ee · 5 pts · 3y (1 reply)
[ removed ]
Cabrio@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 3y

It's spelt Plantain, but close enough.

JohnDClay@sh.itjust.works · 8 pts · 3y (8 replies)

What does the h stand for?

OtisRamflow@lemm.ee · 18 pts · 3y (7 replies)

Hydrogen, pH is "potential of hydrogen" or "power of hydrogen."

WorstPyroEver@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 3y (5 replies)

How do you know that?!

aBundleOfFerrets@sh.itjust.works · 10 pts · 3y (1 reply)

He knew the guy

SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 3y

He IS the guy

Disgusted_Tadpole@lemmy.ml · 9 pts · 3y (1 reply)

Ouija board

OtisRamflow@lemm.ee · 9 pts · 3y

Ouikipedia

Faresh@lemmy.ml · 6 pts · 3y

(Not sure if the humour went over my head and I'm explaining something that wasn't meant to be taken seriously. If it is humour, then I imagine it's because knowing what the H stands for is a lot less exciting than knowing what the p stands for. If it isn't humour, you may read the following words.)

Because that's what it measures. It measures the amount of H⁺ ions (which are simply protons if we are talking about protium which is the most common hydrogen isotope) by volume on a logarithmic scale.

LazaroFilm@lemmy.film · 9 pts · 3y

Probably hydrogen

pornhubfan@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 3y

It just stands for pee, as in 'almost all pee and no h'.

Iapar@feddit.de · 3 pts · 3y

It stands for punani. pH = punani health.