The asterisk symbol is used to indicate omissions, doubts, footnotes, and multiplication in math and programming. It originated from the Greek word for “star” and is used in various contexts such as academic writing, informal text, and sports statistics.
An asterisk is the * symbol. It is used to indicate an omission or doubt in the text or to indicate a footnote with additional information about a certain piece of text. The symbol is also used extensively in mathematics and computer programming.
The word asterisk is of Greek origin, from asteri, which means “star”. The symbol is meant to represent a star and was developed by printers in the Middle Ages. Asterisks are most commonly placed immediately following the word or number accompanying an omission or footnote. Footnotes are usually found at the bottom of the same page as the asterisk.
The asterisk has numerous uses in modern speech and typography. Multiple asterisks within the same word, such as s***, indicate the omission of an expletive. In academic contexts, multiple asterisks are used to indicate more than one footnote on the same page. The first footnote indication on a page is an asterisk after a word. The second footnote indication will use two asterisks after a word, and so on.
The symbol is also used in informal writing contexts. When instant messaging or text messaging, the symbol is used to correct the usage of a word or a spelling mistake. For example, if the user accidentally sends the word “module” instead of “from”, he can later type “* from” to indicate and fix the error. The asterisk is also used to convey an action in informal text, such as *jumping for joy*.
The symbol is also used in mathematical and computer science contexts. In mathematics, it is used on the number pads of QWERTY keyboards and on calculators to indicate multiplication. Computer programmers use the asterisk to indicate a variety of meanings within programming languages and to indicate a required field in an online form.
In sports, the asterisk is used to denote concerns or special circumstances surrounding a statistic. If a sports season is shortened due to a strike or war, the league leaders in statistical categories for that particular year may be marked with an asterisk. The symbol gained prominence in the sports world in the mid-2000s, when American baseball player Barry Bonds broke the record for most home runs in a season. The ball that was hit to break the record was purchased in an online auction and the buyer marked it with a *. The asterisk was used to express the feeling of many that Bonds obtained the record unfairly through the use of performance-enhancing substances.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
