TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: of octothorps and at signs From:LaVonna Funkhouser <lffunkhouser -at- HALNET -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 11 May 1995 18:21:57 -0500
re: octothorp
This *is* in Meriam-Webster's 10th Collegiate. I
believe that thorp was from a word meaning "beam."
You could say there are 8 small beams around the
perimeter of the #.
I also believe there is no "e" in "octothorp."
re: at (@)
FWIW, I second the numerous persons who say to just
stick with "at" or "at sign." In Internet jargon,
when a person says their E-mail address, @ is usually
just "at."
I was on the copyediting list when this discussion
was there, and numerous wonderful suggestions were
given. Besides "monkey's tail," suggestions included
"strudel" and "apestaart" (or something similar), which
were based on the symbol's resemblance to the side of
rolled-up pastery.
