PDA

View Full Version : What is the name of this symbol?


wzartv
Sep 17, 2005, 09:25 AM
Hello,

Very simple question here -

What is the actual name of this symbol on the keyboard above the "tab" key

THIS SYMBOL---> ~

What is the actual name of it other than "the little squiggly line"

I was trying to read off a website address and sound professional - well calling it a squiggly isn't very professional lol

Thanks for your help!

ScottGem
Sep 17, 2005, 01:21 PM
Its called a tilde

wzartv
Sep 17, 2005, 01:25 PM
Ok, thanks... I knew it was simple

Chery
Sep 17, 2005, 01:44 PM
Hi, it's sounds like little.. and is a tiddle... ;)

wzartv
Sep 17, 2005, 01:48 PM
Yes, but technically, it is not pronounced like "little" it is pronounced as tilde - saying the "e" as a long "a" sound

Chery
Sep 17, 2005, 02:27 PM
Thanks for the info, our automation information department where I worked had it all wrong for year then. Well, one is never too old to learn, I'll pass it on, and say it right from now on. Chery :o

ScottGem
Sep 17, 2005, 08:13 PM
Main Entry: til·de
Pronunciation: 'til-d&
Function: noun
Etymology: Spanish, from Medieval Latin titulus tittle
1 : a mark ~ placed especially over the letter n (as in Spanish seņor sir) to denote the sound \ny\ or over vowels (as in Portuguese irmã sister) to indicate nasality
2 : the mark ~ used to indicate negation in logic and the geometric relation "is similar to" in mathematics

Its pronounced as a single syllable, almost like tilled.

wzartv
Sep 17, 2005, 08:22 PM
Oh wow, didn't know that... when I took Spanish courses a while ago, we were told to pronounce it as two syllables with a long "a" sound at the end

I don't know, perhaps different regions pronounce it differently.

Chery
Sep 18, 2005, 05:09 AM
Yes,WOW... it is great though, that this little thing can start a conversation and brain cells going. The world is full of culture, language and pronunciations, etc. that's what keeps things interesting. Speaking for myself, I could use all the 'input' out there because I hate to stay stagnant. Have a good one... ;)

fredg
Sep 18, 2005, 05:30 AM
Hi,
Here is a link explaining the origin of Tilde.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilde

The link came from a Google search.
It's pronounced either til-duh or til-day; either is correct.
Best wishes,
fredg

ScottGem
Sep 18, 2005, 06:36 AM
Apparently there are a some different acceptable pronunciations. I've always heard it as a single syllable as the dictionary I quoted from (merriamwebster.com) indicates.

If you want something real interesting check out the octothorpe.

fredg
Sep 19, 2005, 06:00 AM
Hi,
Glad to help.
fredg