This chapter explores the origin and evolution of the exclamation mark as a punctuation mark. It discusses how a scholar in Italy felt the need for a sign that would differentiate exclamations from statements or questions. The chapter highlights the original purpose of the exclamation mark to denote wonder and something miraculous, contrasting with its common association with strong emotions like rage or surprise.
On this episode we learn about the history of the exclamation point, the question mark, and the semicolon (among many other aspects of language) with Florence Hazrat, a scholar of punctuation, who, to my great surprise, informed me that while a lot of language is the result of a slow evolution, a gradual ever-changing process, punctuation in the English language is often an exception to this – for instance, a single person invented the semicolon; they woke up and the semicolon didn’t exist, and then went to bed that night, and it did!
Florence Hazrat's Website
An Admirable Point
How Minds Change
David McRaney’s Twitter
YANSS Twitter
Show Notes
Newsletter