Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

The Medieval Origins of the @ Symbol. Hyphens in Dual-Heritage Terms. Pitch.


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900. The story of the @ symbol is much bigger than email. In fact, it was used for hundreds of years before being saved from obscurity by the invention of electronic communication. I explore the medieval origin story of @, plus share a bunch of fun names for it in other languages. Also, many style books recently removed the hyphen from dual-heritage terms like "Asian American," and I explain why in a segment that includes a tribute to former Los Angeles Times editor Henry Fuhrmann.

| Transcript:  https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/where-did-we-get-the-at-symbol/transcript

| Advanced AP Style Webinar, Nov. 9. Use the code MACMIL for a $90 discount.

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