[nescioquid]

In Latin, sometimes numbers have synonyms, like 18 (two from twenty or eight and ten). In my mind, the Roman system was very obvious. Then I learned to read a little French, and had genuine curiosity about the reasoning behind this soixante-dix-neuf character.

edit: sometimes I wonder if arithmetic arose simply from naming numbers

[rocqua]

French used to have a sort of base 20 numbering system.

And it is more like our current number system arose because it makes arithmetic so much simpler.

[usr1106]

Like the British used to have shillings?

[mckn1ght]

Yeah, the 90s in french always tripped me out. 91 = quatre-vingt-onze = four-twenty-eleven

[gerikson]

Try learning to count in Danish.

[nescioquid]

I never can decide, but I think you have made the correct point. For me, it was "four twenties, nine and ten", which was only funny because one said "sixty, nine and ten". I dunno, I love it and it terrifies me.

The first time I went abroad, I was in a wine caveau and paying the teller. When she said the price, my mind went blank -- pitch black. She said "five" impatiently in every language I spoke -- even latin -- and I kept wondering, yes, but what and five?

[kettro]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigesimal