I recalled a discussion or two over the past year referring to the hash key or octothorpe (ie #). Didn't have the time to browse all the Board's archives on the matter, but was wondering if the following were resolved......

#1 WHY/WHEN did the hash symbol (call it what you will!) get called in as a substitute for the word "number"?

#3 Thought of another application for this symbol and was wondering if there are more? The one I recalled is its use as a symbol for "mesh" - as used in laboratories to describe the aperture size of a screen (sieve)

#2 Whilst on the subject, is the abbreviation "No." short for the Latin "numero"? Speaking to a work colleague the other day who has a military background - uses "Nr." as the abbreviation.

stales