(Untitled)

[pele03]

is it just me or does "*" look like a more appropriate "pound" symbol than "#" (which is CLEARLY the symbol for "number")?

i need more tea.

Comments

[anglerfish]

Well, what do they mean by "pound".

Wait, I'll check OED.

Best I can guess it that it might come from the second noun definition.

,i>a. An enclosure maintained by authority, for the detention of stray or trespassing cattle, as well as for the keeping of distrained cattle or goods until redeemed; a pinfold.

. . . blah blah blah, lots of enclosure definitions.

# does look like an enclosure.

[pele03]

ok, # does look like an enclosure, but i read pound in a violent way, and * (esp. on the phone) looks like a violent punching ray/bubble thing in comic books.

[tribade]

If it were up to me, I'd say "asterisk" and "octothorpe," instead. "Star" isn't bad, but how the hell did they get "pound" out of "#"?

[pele03]

the phone people should go with star and number. i hate that i have to stop and think about what the hell i have to press when they say pound!!!

i'm sure that lots of 4 year olds have it down pat -- it's just a brain blip that i have.