The Genealogy of ‘∨’

Abstract The use of the symbol $\mathbin {\boldsymbol {\vee }}$ for disjunction in formal logic is ubiquitous. Where did it come from? paper details evolution its historical and logical context. Some sources say that as connecting propositions or formulas was introduced by Peano; others suggest originated an abbreviation Latin word “or,” vel . We show origin can be traced to Whitehead Russell’s pre- Principia work logic. Because ’s influence, notation widely adopted philosophers working (the empiricists 1920s 1930s, especially Carnap early Quine). Hilbert’s adoption his Grundzüge der theoretischen Logik guaranteed widespread mathematical logicians. origins other symbols are also discussed.