What does the notation "cc" on letters and emails indicate?

The notation "cc" on letters and emails stands for "carbon copy." This term dates back to the use of carbon paper to produce a duplicate of a document. In modern communication, "cc" is used to send a copy of the message to additional recipients beyond the primary recipient.

When someone is included in the "cc" field, it indicates that they are being included in the conversation but are not the main recipient. The use of "cc" helps to keep others informed of the correspondence without expecting them to take action.

While "courtesy copy" is another term that some might use interchangeably with "carbon copy," it is not the original meaning or the most common interpretation. The other choices, like "confidential copy," do not reflect the standard use of "cc" in communication protocols.