Comments on: The History of the Exclamation Point

By: MgS

MgS — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:54:48 +0000

I think the comment about the typewriter not having an exclamation in a regular place on the keyboard until 1970 is incorrect.

I worked with a number of typewriters which significantly predated 1970, and all of them had an exclamation in the “Shift-1″ location. (The typewriters were a mix of IBM and Smith-Corona models mostly, with one or two antique oddities thrown in here and there for good measure)

By: Marie Payne

Marie Payne — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:48:36 +0000

Gee, that’s interesting. I have just checked one of the seven old typewriters I have (an Hermes from 1960s) and it has an exclamation mark. As well, I took dictation for decades, and prior to 1970, or after, I have NEVER had anyone say “bang” or “interrobang” (whatever) to me. NEVER. So … don’t know whether this was a regional thing somewhere in US, or what … but this is not 100% true (my typewriter), AND perhaps other ancient secretaries’ recollection … feel BAD criticisng research at The Smithsonian though … Good day.

By: T Herling

T Herling — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 15:30:54 +0000

Allegedly, the Beatles’ movie “Help!” was originally titled “Help” but there was another film being made under that name so they added the exclamation point to get around any copyright issues.

By: G. W. Rutler

G. W. Rutler — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 20:52:39 +0000

F. Scott Fitzgerald said that an exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke.

By: vanderleun

vanderleun — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 18:09:57 +0000

“Everyone seems to have their own rules about the exlamation point” Including, it would seem, their own rules about spelling it.

By: MS

MS — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 20:08:57 +0000

Latin did not only have capital letters, as said here. They had cursive writing too. Capitals are better known because they were used for inscriptions on stone and other hard materials (straight lines easier than curved ones in such circumstances).

By: CP

CP — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 08:29:46 +0000

Putting some sort of arbitrary limit on exclamation points is like demanding that all people should express themselves with the same demeanor. Haven’t we all met someone who is too loud, or seems to be a bit too perky? Sure, but sometimes those people lighten an otherwise boring day. (Fraucade got it right on!) I have experienced plenty of folks laugh at their own jokes and it is not always annoying or inappropriate if you laugh together. Counter to the Latin joy theory, an exclamation is also used to raise the level of anger or urgency, not only elation. (So be careful Kelly, because an exclamation point can also enhance the bark, even when not intended.) Perhaps excessive exclamation points are similar to ALL CAPS, a digital etiquette no-no, that most newbies eventually learn to respect. To those who still want to apply some limit, just remember that you are only allowed one frown a day, so even if you don’t like my comment, you are not allowed to say so at least until tomorrow.

By: fraucade

fraucade — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 01:43:30 +0000

When I was in college I rarely used an exclamation point when writing. Now, many years later, I find I use them all the time, especially in emails and on Facebook. I think it is to help express tone since you can’t do that otherwise. Congrats. You are saying it out of duty. Congrats! You are happy for the person. Congrats!!! You know it’s a big deal and are really happy for the person. Congrats!!!!!! Squeal, jump up and down and give a huge hug, you are so happy for the person and know what this means to them and you want to express that.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:24:46 +0000

I use exclamation points frequently only in emails, and I think it’s because it’s difficult to express tone in emails like you can express tone in your voice. We use emails so much for professional conversations these days — rather than picking up the phone or walking over to speak to someone in person — and I don’t want people to feel I’m barking at them (unless I am barking at them). I over-compensate by using exclamation points to lighten the tone. Perhaps a lot of people do the same thing.

By: BROKALAKIS

BROKALAKIS — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 20:56:19 +0000

Interrobang

By: steven

steven — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:56:33 +0000

I think Elmore Leonard is being just a bit too restrictive, but it is a good rule. Once every 43,512 words is about as generous as is necessary with a exclamation point.