There seems to be some confusion here. The word is “octothorp” or sometimes “octothorpe”. It was used mainly in the Bell Telephone system for what is more often called the “pound” key.
However, as the phone system has become so internationalized, the possible confusion of the “pound” name with the British pound symbol is causing the English-speaking world to move toward the term “number” sign.
But the cartoon is still pretty accurate in that only the most hard-core geeks would ever use the word “octothorp”. (As opposed to us more normal nerds who are familiar with the term but know better than to use it.)
Yeah, I had to research this one and found several misusings of “an octothorpe” as “anoctothorpe”. Obviously a lot of people have only heard it and never seen it in print or checked it out after hearing it. The only dictionary definitions are for “octothorpe”
bald - You might have a point there. My 20 yr old son used to be like Calvin (of & Hobbes) but he is a computer geek now. Maybe you’ve solved a mystery!
pschearer Premium Member over 15 years ago
There seems to be some confusion here. The word is “octothorp” or sometimes “octothorpe”. It was used mainly in the Bell Telephone system for what is more often called the “pound” key.
However, as the phone system has become so internationalized, the possible confusion of the “pound” name with the British pound symbol is causing the English-speaking world to move toward the term “number” sign.
But the cartoon is still pretty accurate in that only the most hard-core geeks would ever use the word “octothorp”. (As opposed to us more normal nerds who are familiar with the term but know better than to use it.)
dicatduke over 15 years ago
Hey, geeks run the world! If you don’t marry one, make sure one is your Best Friend!
joannepowers Premium Member over 15 years ago
Yeah, I had to research this one and found several misusings of “an octothorpe” as “anoctothorpe”. Obviously a lot of people have only heard it and never seen it in print or checked it out after hearing it. The only dictionary definitions are for “octothorpe”
bald over 15 years ago
if she is seeing calvin, does he bring hobbs along
aaaaaaahahahahahahahahahah
Smiley Rmom over 15 years ago
bald - You might have a point there. My 20 yr old son used to be like Calvin (of & Hobbes) but he is a computer geek now. Maybe you’ve solved a mystery!