What does G stand for in G-code?

[sinha_nsit]

This is an old question, with no answer so far (or I am not aware).
Any idea?

[Dan Fritz]

I'm not certain, but I seem to recall that it meant "General".

[Geof]

G = General code.

M = Miscellaneous code.

According to books I have read.

[underthetire]

G=Gosh dammit, just ran in to the table again
M=My, that was strange.

[frank12933]

Geometry

[Perfect Circle]

General Function

[Ron Dunn]

Gyneacological.

(because it is a **** of a language)

[christinandavid]

Gobbledygook.

[Rich L]

Go take a look at:
LinuxCNC.org - G Code Overview

excerpt:

" ... The EMC2 G Code language is based on the RS274/NGC language. The G Code language is based on lines of code. Each line (also called a "block") may include commands to do several different things. Lines of code may be collected in a file to make a program.

A typical line of code consists of an optional line number at the beginning followed by one or more "words". A word consists of a letter followed by a number (or something that evaluates to a number). A word may either give a command or provide an argument to a command. For example, "G1 X3" is a valid line of code with two words. "G1" is a command meaning "move in a straight line at the programmed feed rate to the programmed end point", and "X3" provides an argument value (the value of X should be 3 at the end of the move). Most EMC2 G Code commands start with either G or M (for General and Miscellaneous). The words for these commands are called "G codes" and "M codes." ... "

Admittedly, it does look like gobbledygook but I'd probably argue against any clinical abstractions.

Cheers,
Rich