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Poet deVine
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0 posted 2004-03-03 11:36 AM



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..

© Copyright 2004 Poet deVine - All Rights Reserved
Sudhir Iyer
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since 2000-04-26
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Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
1 posted 2004-03-03 11:51 AM


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

Duncan
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since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

2 posted 2004-03-03 01:27 PM


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....


Ron
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3 posted 2004-03-03 02:47 PM


Fascinating. I could find absolutly no reference to any use other than computer related.

virgule

backslash



Duncan
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4 posted 2004-03-03 05:03 PM


I did several searches and found nothing further.
Wow...the origin of  \.  

Poet deVine
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5 posted 2004-03-03 06:32 PM


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?
Sunshine
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6 posted 2004-03-03 07:21 PM


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...

Duncan
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7 posted 2004-03-03 09:46 PM


Didn't find anything yet, but this is a cool site...
http://www.yaelf.com/punctuation.shtml

Greeneyes
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Member Rara Avis
since 2000-09-09
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In Your Poetic Mind
8 posted 2004-03-04 04:46 PM


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."  

~~**~~
There are moments when speech
is but a mouth pressed lightly and
humbly against the angel's hands.

serenity blaze
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since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

9 posted 2004-03-04 05:13 PM


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.


Sunshine
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10 posted 2004-03-04 08:16 PM


I don't even remember that in my Gregg Shorthand...

I'm ancient!  LOL...

serenity blaze
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11 posted 2004-03-04 09:15 PM


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!

Sunshine
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12 posted 2004-03-04 09:27 PM


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....

serenity blaze
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13 posted 2004-03-04 09:35 PM


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...

Sunshine
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14 posted 2004-03-04 09:59 PM


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?
serenity blaze
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15 posted 2004-03-04 10:01 PM


uh...no?

what did he say?


Sunshine
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16 posted 2004-03-04 10:12 PM


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

serenity blaze
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17 posted 2004-03-04 10:21 PM


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!


Sunshine
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18 posted 2004-03-04 10:23 PM


ROFL...I was two seconds behind you.

serenity blaze
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since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

19 posted 2004-03-04 11:21 PM


I rest my case!

giggle...

now I'll go type the damned prologue--yer a slave driver, yanno that?


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