English Egyptian Typeface

Sans serif refers to a typeface that does not have any serifs: no finishing or added strokes found on the arms, arm stem, and tails of the characters. For example Helvetica, Tahoma, and Verdana.
The sans serif before it was called “sans serif”, was initially called “English Egyptian”. It was first designed by, British, William Caslon IV, from a typeface family, in 1816. It was made as 28 points, and produced in capitals only.

Due to such a change within typography and appearance of characters, “grotesque” in Europe or “gothic” in the United States, was a common name for sans serifs and indicates the general reaction.
The typeface was particularly popular within the work of the Bauhaus and modern design, which leaned towards a more practical appearance.

Sources:
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/helvetica/type.html

Camilla Yvonne Romano