INTERROBANG Meaning and
Definition
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Interrobang, derived from the Latin word "interrogatio" meaning question or interrogation, is a punctuation mark that combines the functions of both the question mark and the exclamation point. Represented by the symbol ‽, the interrobang is used to express a mixture of surprise, disbelief, or rhetorical question in written or printed text.
Conventionally, the interrobang consists of an exclamation point residing above a question mark, creating a unique and distinctive glyph. With its fusion of these two punctuation marks, the interrobang captures the intensity and divergent emotion generated by a question that conveys surprise, shock, and excitement all at once.
This versatile punctuation mark is employed in informal and creative writing, as well as in advertisements and headlines, to effectively convey the tone and intended meaning of a sentence. It enables the writer to signal a strong rhetorical question that also evokes an exclamation or strong emphasis. In the digital era, the interrobang has gained prominence in electronic communication, particularly in informal chats and social media, as a means to accurately convey tone, emotion, and inflection that may be lost in plain text.
While the interrobang is not widely recognized or used in formal academic or professional writing, its distinct purpose and usability make it a unique and valuable addition to linguistic expression.
Common Misspellings for INTERROBANG
- unterrobang
- jnterrobang
- knterrobang
- onterrobang
- 9nterrobang
- 8nterrobang
- ibterrobang
- imterrobang
- ijterrobang
- ihterrobang
- inrerrobang
- inferrobang
- ingerrobang
- inyerrobang
- in6errobang
- in5errobang
- intwrrobang
- intsrrobang
- intdrrobang
- intrrrobang
Etymology of INTERROBANG
The word "interrobang" is a combination of two words, "interrogation" and "bang".
The term was coined by advertising executive Martin K. Speckter in 1962 when he noticed that there was no punctuation mark to express a combination of an exclamation point and a question mark. He combined the Latin word "interrogatio" ("interrogation") with "bang" (which is a printer's term for an exclamation mark) to create the word "interrobang". The term itself reflects the combined usage and purpose of the two punctuation marks.
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