the essentials in brief
How do you write the @ sign?
The @ sign is written with the key combination "AltGr + Q" on a German keyboard or "Shift + 2" on an English keyboard. Click here to learn more about this little character that revolutionized the digital world!
How was the @ sign developed?
The @ sign evolved from the Latin abbreviation "ad" in the 6th century and was later used as a separator in email addresses as part of the Arpanet project. Read on for more information on the subject!
What is the meaning of the @ sign?
The @ sign has several meanings: Originally it served as a merchant sign, today it is used in email addresses to separate username and domain and in social media. Continue here!
The @ sign is a fascinating symbol that we encounter every day in the digital world. It has a rich history and multiple meanings. From from its origin as a character in old merchant texts to its central role in e-mail addresses, social media and programming has the @ sign an amazing development run through.
How do you write the @ sign?
You've probably seen the @ sign many times and used in emails, social media posts or other online communications. The @ sign is to a important part of our digital communication become. In this section, we'll take a closer look at the @ sign, explain its usage, and share some interesting historical facts.
- Origin and history of the @ sign
The @ sign has a long and fascinating history dating back to the 6th century. It's probably from the Latin abbreviation "ad", which means "to" or "at".. In the Middle Ages, the @ sign was used in handwritten texts used as an abbreviation for "ad".to make trading easier. It saved space and time by replacing the letters "a" and "d" with a single letter.
- The spread of the @ sign in modern times
In the early days of computer technology, the @ sign used as part of the Arpanet project, a precursor to the Internet. Its importance has greatly expanded over time. Today it is used in email addresses to separate the username from the domain (e.g. "yourname@example.com").
- Use of the @ sign in modern communication
Today the @ sign is used in many ways:
- Email address: The @ sign is an essential part of email addresses and allows messages to be correctly assigned to specific users.
- Social media: It is used to tag and quote usernames on social media. To address someone directly in a post, simply put the @ sign in front of the username.
- Technical notation: In some programming languages and scripts, the @ sign is used for special functions such as variable assignments or declarations.
- General symbolism: In some cultures, the @ sign also has a symbolic meaning, e.g. as a symbol for the feminine or in the LGBTQ+ community.
- Precautions when using the @ sign
While the @ sign is widely used and useful, it's important to keep a few small safety precautions in mind:
- Phishing Emails: Be wary of emails that ask you to provide personal information and click on links. Reputable companies do not request such data via email.
- Password protection: Use strong email account passwords and change them regularly to protect your online accounts.
- Data protection in social networks: Check the privacy settings on your social networks to control who can @-mention you.
Additional information: The @ sign has different names in other languages. In German it is called "Klammeraffe", in English "at" or "at sign". By the way, before digital communication there was no @ sign on typewriters. It had to be written by hand or generated in a special way by pressing the keys multiple times.
The fascinating creation of the @ sign
The @ sign has a long and interesting history. From its humble beginnings in the Latin script to its use in modern digital communications, the @ sign has undergone a remarkable evolution. In this section we will take a closer look at the origins and evolution of the @ sign.
The @ sign in trade and on typewriters
In the centuries after its creation, the @ sign was used in commerce, especially in commercial language. It was used to denote the price of goods and quantities. In some European countries, such as Spain and Portugal, this usage has survived into modern times.
Although the @ sign has been known since the Middle Ages, it became not initially used on typewriters and printer keyboards. It was not considered in most typewriter layouts as it was primarily used in trade and business.
The @ sign in the computer age
With the advent of computer technology in the 20th century, the @ sign acquired a new meaning. It was introduced as part of email addresses during the Arpanet project, an early version of the Internet. Ray Tomlinson, a pioneer in email development, chose the @ sign as the separator between the username and hostname in email addresses.
Additional information: The @ sign is denoted differently in different countries. For example, in Spanish it is “arroba”, in Italian “chiocciola” and in French “arobase”. In 2016, the @ sign was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary as a word and defined as "at".
The meaning of the @ sign: A detailed explanation
You may already be familiar with the @ sign from many emails, social media platforms and other digital forms of communication. But did you know that the @ sign is more than just a symbol? In this section we will take a closer look at the multiple meanings of the @ sign and its role in modern communication.
The @ sign in the digital age
With the advent of the Internet and email communication, the @ sign took on a new and important role. It was used as a separator in email addresses, to separate the recipient's username from the email provider's domain. For example, the @ sign in the email address "yourname@example.com" comes between "yourname" and "example.com".
Importance of the @ sign in social media
Another important function of the @ sign is its use in social media. By putting the @ sign in front of a person's or company's username (e.g. "@exampleuser"), you can Mention a person or this company directly in a post and draw attention to their content. This will a connection is established and other users can access these profilesby clicking on the highlighted username.
The @ sign in programming and technology
In programming, the @ sign has different meanings in different languages. In some Programming languages such as C# or Python use the @ character to identify special character chains (strings)., which are either interpreted as literal strings or contain specific escape sequences.
Tip: When using the @ sign in an email address, make sure you spell the username and domain correctly to ensure your emails reach the recipient. On the other hand, if you use the @ sign in programming, inform yourself about its specific meaning in the respective programming language to avoid mistakes.
The versatility of the @ sign in digital communication
The @ sign has undergone a fascinating evolution, from its origin as a Latin abbreviation for "ad" to its modern-day importance as a vital part of email addresses, social media communications, and programming. It allows us to interact with each other and connect in the digital age.
