The At Sign (@) in English
Contents
History of the At Sign
- Origin: Historically used in accounting and commercial invoices to mean 'at the rate of'.
- Early Use: Used in Catalan, Spanish, and Portuguese as an abbreviation of arroba, a unit of weight equivalent to 25 pounds. It derives from the Arabic "the quarter" (pronounced ar-rub?).
- Historical Examples: A symbol resembling @ is found in the Spanish "Taula de Ariza" from 1448. An Italian document from 1536 shows the @ symbol used in mercantile contexts.
- Modern Recognition: Gained global recognition with the advent of email and the internet.
How You Should Use the At Sign
- In Email Addresses: e.g., name@example.com
- Social Media Handles: e.g., @username on platforms like Twitter
How Not to Use the At Sign
- Not in Formal Writing: Avoid using @ to replace the word 'at' in standard texts.
- Avoid in Academic or Professional Documents: Except in email addresses or specific contexts.
Common Mistakes with the At Sign
- Using @ in Place of 'At' in Non-Digital Communication.
- Incorrect Placement in Email Addresses.
Changing Patterns of Use
- Widespread in Digital Communication: Essential in emails and social media.
The At Sign in Other Languages
- Universal in Email Addresses.
- Varied Use in Social Media Depending on Language and Platform.
- Arabic: The @ sign is used without modification in Arabic digital contexts.
Usage in Mathematics
In mathematics and everyday language, the @ sign is used to denote rates or price. For example, 6 bags of rice @ 3 dollars each indicates that each bag costs 3 dollars.
