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: What do you call this (@ sign humor) From:Hanna Nelson <hanna -at- HOLYCOW -dot- PORTLAND -dot- OR -dot- US> Date:Thu, 18 May 1995 11:04:30 -0700
On May 10, 2:22pm, Seth Greenberg wrote:
> > What do you call the circle a (@) that is commonly
> > called the AT sign? I know there is a more precise
> > name for it somewhere. Does anyone know it?
> Here, in Israel, I have, on numerous occasions, heard
> the @ referred to as the "strudel." For etymologists
> who are not familiar with strudel, it's a sweet Austrian
> dessert thats made by wrapping dough in a roll around
> apples or other sweetened foodstuffs. The @ looks like
> a cross section of a strudel.
the last time this topic was discussed on this list,
i picked up this fabulous quote from Tim Engles <TENGLES -at- UGA -dot- CC -dot- UGA -dot- EDU>:
``I suspect others will jump in with the same reply, but I've always thought
"&" is an ampersand. If not, what is it? A steve? As for what to call "@",
I'd opt for something having to do with what it looks like on my computer
screen--a happy spermatozoon."
hanna
--
Hanna Nelson hanna -at- holycow -dot- portland -dot- or -dot- us
voice: 503/232-3395 fax: 503/231-8742
``Soon anyone who's not on the World Wide Web will qualify for a government
subsidy for the home-pageless.'' - Scott Adams