funereal-disease:

just-shower-thoughts:

Why are nonprescription drugs called over the counter? You can pick them up off a shelf, while prescription drugs need to be given to you, over a counter, by a pharmacist.

FOR REAL THIS CONFUSED ME FOR MOST OF MY LIFE

My personal folk etymology is that “nonprescription drugs are sometimes held on a rack or shelf behind the cashier (literally over, i.e. above, the counter) while prescription drugs have to be fetched from some place you can’t see while standing in front of the counter.”

(via funereal-disease)