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This is just a question about notation - probably useless, but it's always baffled me:

Why was $\Omega$ chosen to denote the based loop functor? (e.g. for a pointed topological space $X$, $\Omega X$ is the space of based loops on $X$.)

I once heard someone speculate: "It's because $\Omega$ looks like... a loop? "

If true, clever choice! Can anyone verify and/or know more?

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  • $\begingroup$ I think $O$ looks more like a loop, don't you? $\endgroup$
    – s.harp
    Apr 23, 2017 at 14:58
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    $\begingroup$ @s.harp: Yes, but a Greek "Omicron" looks too much like a Latin "Oh". $\endgroup$
    – user14972
    Apr 23, 2017 at 18:12
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    $\begingroup$ I am pretty sure that Peter May will answer that question - if you post it on mathoverflow. :-) $\endgroup$
    – HeinrichD
    Apr 24, 2017 at 7:58
  • $\begingroup$ @HeinrichD Ha, I was starting to wonder if mathoverflow would be a better fit - I'll post it there. Thanks for the nudge! $\endgroup$
    – user316092
    Apr 24, 2017 at 10:37

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