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Calculate

is from the Latin calculi (pebbles), used by the Romans for counters. In the abʹacus, the round balls were called calʹculi, and it was by this instrument the Roman boys were taught to count and calculate. The Greeks voted by pebbles dropped into an urn—a method adopted both in ancient Egypt and Syria; counting these pebbles was “calculating” the number of voters. (See page 2, col. 1, Abacus.)

I calculate. A peculiarity of expression common in the western states of North America. In the southern states the phrase is “I reckon,” in the middle states “I expect,” and in New England “I guess.” All were imported from the mother country by early settlers.

“Your aunt sets two tables, I calculate; donʹt she?”—Susan Warner: Queechy (vol. i. chap. xix.)

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Cake…Dough
Cakes
Calabash
Calamanco Cat (A)
Calamity
Calandrino
Calatrava (Red Cross Knights of)
Calauria
Calceolaria
Calceos mutavit
Calculate
Calculators (The)
Cale
Caleb
Caleb Quotem
Caledon
Caledonia
Calembour (French)
Calendar
Calendar
Calendars (The Three)

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Reckon (I)