Carbon copy in mail
The nostalgic term "carbon copy"!
In the past, before the widespread use of photocopying and digital communication, a carbon copy (also known as a "cc" or "carbon") was a way to create multiple copies of a handwritten or typed document. Here's how it worked:
- A sheet of paper with a layer of carbon paper between two sheets of paper was used. The carbon paper was coated with a thin layer of carbon powder.
- When you wrote or typed on the top sheet of paper, the carbon powder transferred the impression to the sheet of paper below, creating a copy of the original text.
- The resulting copy was a mirror image of the original, with the text reversed.
Carbon copies were commonly used in business and official correspondence to create multiple copies of a letter, memo, or other document. The recipient would receive the original document, and the sender would keep a copy for their records.
The term "carbon copy" was often abbreviated as "cc" and was used to indicate that a copy of a document was being sent to someone else, in addition to the original recipient. For example:
"Dear John,
Please find attached a copy of the contract. CC: Jane Smith, for her records.
Best regards, [Your Name]"
In modern times, with the advent of digital communication and photocopying, the need for carbon copies has largely disappeared. However, the term "cc" is still widely used in email and other digital communication to indicate that a copy of a message is being sent to someone else.