"In the diagram of configuration we use the capital letters A, B, C, &c., to indicate the relative position of the bodies of the system; in the diagram of velocities we use the small letters, a, b, c, to indicate the relative velocities of these bodies; and in the diagram of accelerations we use the Greek letters α, β, γ, to indicate their relative accelerations."
January 1, 1970
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Matter_and_Motion