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What's this for? |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Before computers, what was the purpose of this? \ I know this / was used for but am unsure of the other one. I know they are called versule(?) or whacks.. |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Hi  Till someone comes with a real reason... I think, you can see the reason below... ““””” \, ,/ | | | ' o ' I call it back-slash ... and remember having seen it in typewriters before using the computer keyboard...  regards sudhir |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
I always called it back slash too. But I was educated for many years in Alabama, so don't go by me...  I think the first time I saw it I was in a computer programming class. So, before computers? Not a clue.... |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Fascinating. I could find absolutly no reference to any use other than computer related. virgule backslash |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
I did several searches and found nothing further. Wow...the origin of \. |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
All my old dictionaries are packed or I'd look it up. Does anyone have an old English book or punctuation book we can check? |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
My 1951 dictionary doesn't even have the word "backslash"... but "virgule" is defined as: a small rod, twig, a slender branch; a short diagonal line placed between two words to indicate that either word can be used in interpreting the statement. Example: and/or. So we're going to have to find an younger/older dictionary...  |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
Didn't find anything yet, but this is a cool site... http://www.yaelf.com/punctuation.shtml |
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Greeneyes  
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
my old dictionary websters copyright 1965 / and or \ slant line used in pairs to mark the beginning and end of a transcription their example \'pen\ /pen/ then gave more "the matter between reversed virgules \\ is the pronunciation in symbols." ~~**~~ |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Lauren? thank you! This was driving me nuts! (I know--short trip, huh?) But I knew I'd seen an explanation somewhere, and yep, it's in my Gregg shorthand manual...groan...and yes, indeed, it was used at the beginning of all of my transcribed notes. I'm left wondering just how much I've forgotten too. And that thought leaves me uneasy.  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I don't even remember that in my Gregg Shorthand... I'm ancient! LOL... |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Now THAT'S funny! giggle It was in the advanced transcription manual--under the LEGAL section. In legal transcription (in those old time days) an exact copy of transcript was required, the text indicated by the opening "\"--ending with the "/". THEN--a separate copy was amended to the attorney's specs--but if I recall correctly, an exact copy had to be on file for legal purposes. Funny, I have a certificate somewhere saying I'm a pro--I tested at 119 wpm, with a transcription speed of 70 wpm with no errors. Then came computer technology.  I'm all about irony and bad timing... love ya Kari! |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
All I have left from school is my Gregg Shorthand Dictionary, circa 1963, sold used...$4.00 [the thing is about 3.5x5"] which I keep handy because my shorthand teacher, Mr. Aoki, still writes me in shorthand when we exchange Christmas cards every year. Mr. Aoki use to accuse me of "copying" my shorthand directly from the book. I "thought" it had to be the exact size as was shown in the book, so my symbols were tight and precise. I remember him telling us that JFK gave speeches at 220 wpm; and I remember sitting in front of the TV, practicing with news commentators during the 6:00 o'clock news... I apparently was someone he enjoyed, as he nominated me for a Business and Professional Women's award, which I won. He even came to my first wedding, bless his heart.... He was a very special teacher... and I'm so glad I gave you a giggle... and I tested high at 160 for 1 minute spurts...and averaged 120-130 for five. Not what happens in the real world, believe me.... |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
smile. Now I remember that we had this conversation before. And you know I don't doubt you, but I was told that speech became garbled at 125 wpm. There was a demonstration, but it's entirely probable that my hearing and memory was and is at fault-- and anything is possible. Here in my neck of the woods, speech becomes garbles at a far slower rate than that! and you have reminded me of a story... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I don't know about garbled. Unintelligible, probably...if one isn't paying attention. But haven't you ever heard that guy on the commericalsthattalksfasterthanyouthinkyoucanhearbutifyougivehimyourattentionyoureallyhearitall? |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
uh...no? what did he say?  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
The Fed Ex guy's fast-talking commercials, back in the 80's.... I'm looking for a link... http://www.petehandelman.com/boards.html |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I'll bet you are! laughing but hugging you... and now I gotta go write a story--grumble. But? you know I'll be back!  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
ROFL...I was two seconds behind you. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I rest my case! giggle... now I'll go type the damned prologue--yer a slave driver, yanno that? |
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