Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Exclamation Points!
Mar 4, 2020
Dive into the fascinating world of exclamation points! Discover their surprising origins dating back to the 14th century. Explore how their role in communication has evolved from restrained to exuberant usage. Amusing anecdotes highlight their emotional impact, revealing how they serve as markers of sincerity. Learn about differences in usage across genders and generational divides, plus how digital communication shapes our understanding of this lively punctuation mark. It's a fun exploration of a tiny symbol with a huge personality!
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Exclamation Point Origins
- The exclamation point's origin is uncertain, possibly deriving from the Latin "IO" for joy.
- It was introduced to English in the 14th century as the "point of admiration."
Typing Exclamation Points
- Typewriters lacked a dedicated exclamation point key until 1970.
- To create one, typists typed a period, backspaced, and overtyped an apostrophe.
Sincerity Markers
- Exclamation point overuse is now common, shifting from an intensity marker to a sincerity marker.
- This change is largely attributed to the rise of electronic communication.