# Use of f instead of s in old texts **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 25, 2001, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-f-instead-of-s-in-old-texts/66498 "2001-05-25T17:50:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hermn8r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/53a042/32.png) [@hermn8r](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hermn8r)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2001, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-f-instead-of-s-in-old-texts/66498/1 "2001-05-25T17:50:00Z")
What are the origins, reasons etc. that in many old texts, and writings the letter “f” is often used where they obviously meant (or today we would use) the letter “s”? ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2001, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-f-instead-of-s-in-old-texts/66498/2 "2001-05-25T17:56:32Z")
It is a “s”, the way it was written just looks like an “f”. If you read more, you will see that there are F’s as well. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2001, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-f-instead-of-s-in-old-texts/66498/3 "2001-05-25T17:58:36Z")
Welcome to The Straight Dope. The Master has addressed your question [here.](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_110.html) - Rick ---
**Author:** ![hermn8r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/53a042/32.png) [@hermn8r](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hermn8r)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2001, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-f-instead-of-s-in-old-texts/66498/4 "2001-05-25T18:02:40Z")
I searched the archives using the phrase “f instead of s” and it returned many hits, but not that one. I s’pose the spelling of “inftead” is what got me. Thanks again.