|
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866
old hand
|
OP
old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866 |
'Twould seem that, from the evidence provided by these posts, that the # sign is perhaps the most versatile accessory to the written language.
Anybody think of any other contenders?
stales
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891 |
I would think the dot . is the most versatile. It can signify the end of a sentence. Three in a row ... signifies that a list goes on and on. One on top of each other : et voila, your list starts. On top a comma ; signifies a change of direction in a sentence.
In front of a bracket and you have eyes : )
AND place them strategically and you have braille.*
(* or chicken pox)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636 |
Or...(why not?)connect the dots.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
Well, in learning what an octothorpe is, and reading the discussion about dots, I thought I should add, to help make the list complete about the versatility of the dot, we should also include the decimal point and dotted rhythms in music.
WW
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346 |
about the versatility of the dot, we should also include the decimal point and dotted rhythms in music
...and, of course, an octothorpe is almost identical to the musical symbol for a sharp.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439 |
Also see new thread "followed by an octothorpe" in the forum Wordplay and fun.
http://wordsmith.org/board/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=wordplay&Number=75453&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,526
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,526 |
I used the term 'octothorp' in a short document describing a program I wrote. My boss, reviewing my work, made a notion "What's that?"
k
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1
stranger
|
|
stranger
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1 |
Sorry, I have not yet read all the posts in this subject yet, so if this factoid has been mentioned, please forgive me.
I have always heard that the # is called an "octothorpe" because, on the old IBM punch cards it was indicated by a combination punch, using the numbers 8 and 3, thus octothorpe.
Sue
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 477
addict
|
|
addict
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 477 |
I don't really have anything intelligent to say on the subject (surprise, surprise) I'm just rolling out the red carpet and saying WELCOME  to Sue in Chicago! (Oh dear, I can see you becoming abbreviated to SIC - of course, it will only be done with the nicest of intentions, and in the efforts of typing efficiency.)
Glad to have you with us Sue!
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,317
Members9,182
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
596
guests, and
1
robot. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
