Why 'Soixante-dix'?

Why do the French use 'soixante-dix' and not 'septante' like the Belgians and the Swiss? Well, in the Middle Ages, people counted in twenties: 30 was 'vint et dis', 40 was 'deux vins', 60 was 'trois vins', etc. This system is called 'vicésimal' (vigesimal) and it was used by the Celts and the Normands. Towards the end of the Middle Ages, 'trente', 'quarante', 'cinquante', 'soixante' became more popular, but it stopped there. The French Académie adopted 'soixante-dix', 'quatre-vingts' and 'quatre-vingt-dix' in the 17th Century. Nobody really knows why these were preferred to 'septante','octante' and 'nonante'.

At least it makes learning French numbers interesting and challenging for all!

Click here for the explanation from the 'Académie Française'

Click here for more information on the vigesimal system.