If you’ve ever been using a computer, you’ve likely come across the symbol known as an asterisk. But, did you know why it’s called an asterisk? The asterisk has a long and interesting history, and it’s been used for centuries in many different ways. In this article, we’ll explore the history of the asterisk, as well as its various uses today.
The History of the Asterisk
The asterisk dates back to the 1500s, when it was used to refer to various stars in the night sky. It was first used in print in the 17th century and was commonly used to indicate that a footnote was included. The asterisk was also used to highlight important words and phrases in a text. The symbol was even used to denote a special meaning in mathematical equations. As time went on, the asterisk was used in other ways, such as to indicate a correction in a word, to signify the omission of a word, or to denote a wildcard character in computing.
Asterisk Today
Today, the asterisk is widely used in both print and digital formats. It is often used to indicate a footnote, an omission, or an error. In computing, an asterisk is often used to represent a wildcard character, which can stand in for any character or set of characters in a search. In programming, an asterisk is often used to multiply two numbers. Additionally, the asterisk can be used to denote a number of other things, such as a footnote, a correction, or a reference.
Asterisk in Media
The asterisk is also commonly used in media. In television, an asterisk is often used to denote a commercial break. In music, an asterisk is used to denote a particular version of a song. In film, an asterisk is often used to denote an alternate version of a scene or sequence. Additionally, the asterisk is used in the titles of some films, such as the 2019 film *batteries not included.
Asterisk in Sports
The asterisk is also used in many sports. In baseball, an asterisk is used to denote a record that was set in a shortened game or a game with an asterisk next to it. In tennis, an asterisk is used to denote a player who retired during a match. Additionally, an asterisk is often used to denote a player who has been suspended for a certain length of time.
Asterisk in Mathematics
In mathematics, an asterisk is often used to denote a number of different things. It can be used to denote multiplication, division, exponents, or the factorial symbol. Additionally, an asterisk is often used to denote a null set, a raised to the power of n, or a complex conjugate.
Asterisk in Computing
In computing, an asterisk is often used to denote a wildcard character. This means that the asterisk can stand in for any character or set of characters in a search. Additionally, an asterisk is often used to indicate the multiplication of two numbers or to denote an omission in a text. An asterisk can also be used to denote a correction or an error in a document.
Asterisk in URLs
The asterisk is also used in URLs. It is often used to denote the home page of a website. Additionally, the asterisk is often used to denote an index page, a dynamic page, or a page that contains a directory of files. The asterisk can also be used to denote a page that contains a search engine.
Asterisk in Grammar
The asterisk is also used in grammar. It is often used to indicate that a word or phrase has been omitted from a sentence. Additionally, an asterisk is often used to denote a correction or an error in a sentence. It can also be used to indicate a special meaning or emphasis.
The asterisk is a symbol with a rich and interesting history. It has been used for centuries in many different ways, from indicating stars in the night sky to denoting wildcard characters in computing. Today, the asterisk is still widely used in many different fields, such as media, sports, mathematics, computing, and grammar. Whether you’re denoting a footnote or a correction, the asterisk is an invaluable tool that can help you communicate your message more effectively.