What is the etymology of the word プラスアルファ?


What is the etymology of the word プラスアルファ(+α)?

This is a neologism I believe, however I hear it quite often nowadays. I'm
curious to what the origin would be?




> What is the etymology of the word プラスアルファー

It is usually プラスアルファ, without a long vowel at the end.

It is a compound of two word: プラス + アルファ. プラス is from English "plus". アルファ is
thought to have represented a variable x but it was mistakenly identified /
read as Greek α and hence アルファ. The intent was "+ x (=something)".




> What is the etymology of the word プラスアルファー

It is usually プラスアルファ, without a long vowel at the end.

It is a compound of two word: プラス + アルファ. プラス is from English "plus". アルファ is
thought to have represented a variable x but it was mistakenly identified /
read as Greek α and hence アルファ. The intent was "+ x (=something)".

