phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

That's -30-

Posted by ESC on October 05, 2001

In Reply to: That's -30- posted by W.F. on October 05, 2001

: When receiving a news story, "30" was used to indicate the end of the text. The thread below of "86" made me wonder why? Any "newsies" out there?

An ex-newsie.

THIRTY -- The Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997) lists two possible origins, "It comes either from the old telegraphy symbol indicating the end of a day's transmission, a kind of 'Goodnight, I'm closing up the office,' or from old printers' jargon. The maximum line on Linotype composing machines is 30 picas, about five inches, and when an operator reaches 30 picas, he can go no farther."

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.