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17 votes
3 answers
3k views

What is the history of the Y-combinator?

Inspired by the comments to this question, I wonder if someone can explain the history of the fixed point combinator (often called the Y combinator) in lambda calculus. Where did it first appear? ...
Dan Ramras's user avatar
  • 8,803
11 votes
1 answer
979 views

Why did Alonzo Church choose the letter $\lambda$ as the "binding operator"?

Is there any known reason why Alonzo Church chose Greek $\lambda$ as the "binding operator" for the Lambda Calculus?
Alexey Muranov's user avatar