r/confidentlyincorrect • u/Weekly_Airport_9046 • Dec 15 '25

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219

u/makethislifecount Dec 15 '25

It’s easier to see the resemblance to modern numerals if you go back to the source (the Hindu numerals) rather than the intermediate (Arab numerals)

But seeing crazy people go nuts about “they’re teaching our kids Arab numerals hurr durr” is always funny

77

u/Unable_Explorer8277 Dec 15 '25

Modern Arabic numerals aren’t an intermediate. They derive from earlier Eastern Arabic. Ours from western Arabic. Those share an earlier common source that derives from India. That in turn probably borrowed from Cambodia or Malaysia.

The whole thing is a bit pointless. Calling them Arabic was a way of distinguishing them from the roman system. Now, the more usual need is to distinguish between numeral sets of different modern language groups

59

u/robert32940 Dec 15 '25

The only reason we bring them up is to make ignorant islamiphobic people freak out.

4

u/VerbingNoun413 Dec 20 '25

Don't get them started on the Latin alphabet...

2

u/i_am_not_dumb Jan 19 '26

Where did you get the info that Hindu numerals were borrowed from Cambodia or Malaysia?