Proper name for the "at" sign

[jrbarnett]

The sign "@" used in email addresses is always known as the at sign, or at symbol.

Is there a proper name for it?
(along the lines of & is ampersand; ^ is caret, * is asterisk etc).

John

 

[KenCunningham]

Hi John. This seems pretty informatative, but whether it's correct is another thing:

http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/2002/HistoryofAtSign.asp

I don't mind people who aren't what they seem. I just wish they'd make their mind up.

 

[MeGustaXL]

Hi John,

Try "The History of the @ Sign at Webopedia:

http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/2002/HistoryofAtSign.asp

Chris

Beer is God's way of telling us He loves us and wants us to be happy - Benjamin Franklin

 

[jrbarnett]

I've heard it referred to (only once) as the "a inside a circle" but that's certainly not from an English expert.

John

 

[MeGustaXL]

ShazBat!! Ken's Bleeping 'Puter is obviously faster than mine (by at least 2 minutes)

Chris

Beer is God's way of telling us He loves us and wants us to be happy - Benjamin Franklin

 

[KenCunningham]

Maybe, Chris, but it obviously can't spell informative!! Stupid 'puter.

I don't mind people who aren't what they seem. I just wish they'd make their mind up.

 

[GriffMG]

I was brought up calling it a 'commercial at' meaning 'measured at' i.e. 15 mtrs at 10p/mtr could be typed / printed as '15 @ 10p'

I know it was used for splitting names from domains in e-mail addresses as the clever clogs who did it reckoned no one could have a '@' in their name!




Regards

Griff
Keep [Smile]ing

 

[Grenage]

I think it definitely needs to be given a proper name, the 'at sign' just doesn't really cut the mustard.


Carlsberg don't run I.T departments, but if they did they'd probably be more fun.

 

[Ladyazh]

What does cut the mustard?

 

[rjoubert]

Grenage...I disagree. The "at sign" is easy to remember and it really describes the symbol's meaning and use. IMHO, it does cut the mustard.

You can buy 10 widgets at $2 each (10 widgets @ $2 ea).
I have a meeting at 3pm with my boss (meet w/boss @ 3).

 

[KenCunningham]

What does cut the mustard?

Vinegar perhaps?

I don't mind people who aren't what they seem. I just wish they'd make their mind up.

 

[MeGustaXL]

Tee-Hee!

"Wh@'s th@ s@ on the m@?"

"Oh, th@'s my f@ c@!"

Now, where did I leave my Mustard-Cleaver?



Chris

Beer is God's way of telling us He loves us and wants us to be happy - Benjamin Franklin

 

[Grenage]

Oi, that's a good 'n' proper saying, that is, mock it not!

On reflection, regarding the "at" sign, I retract my previous statement. Considering the "percentage" sign seems perfectly acceptable, I can't see much difference.


Carlsberg don't run I.T departments, but if they did they'd probably be more fun.

 

[MeGustaXL]

Grenage, which is the

good 'n proper saying?

Chris

Beer is God's way of telling us He loves us and wants us to be happy - Benjamin Franklin

 

[gbaughma]

When I took typing (back in the early 80's), I heard it referred to as the Affenschwanz, which of course is the german word for it.

But I don't think I've called it that since that class. lol



Just my 2¢

"In order to start solving a problem, one must first identify its owner." --Me
--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[rjoubert]

I wonder if the Germans use that when referring to their email addresses? "MyEmail Affenschwanz Yahoo dot com.

 

[MeGustaXL]

That makes sense, gbaughma, because the entry in

http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/2002/HistoryofAtSign.asp

says it's known as "Monkey's Tail" in Afrikaans, and Affenschwanz is German for .... "Monkey's Tail"

Chris

Beer is God's way of telling us He loves us and wants us to be happy - Benjamin Franklin

 

[MeGustaXL]

Try also:

http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/whereat.htm

Chris

Beer is God's way of telling us He loves us and wants us to be happy - Benjamin Franklin

 

[Trevoke]

It is called 'arobase' in French.

"That time in Seattle... was a nightmare. I came out of it dead broke, without a house, without anything except a girlfriend and a knowledge of UNIX."
"Well, that's something," Avi says. "Normally those two are mutually exclusive."
-- Neal Stephenson, "Cryptonomicon"

 

[Mthales]

Thanks to all for solving a question that I'd wondered about for a while

M

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My doctor says that I have a malformed public-duty gland and that I am therefore excused from saving universes.