# Whats the Origin of the # sign, and the '&' and \* as well?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-the-sign-and-the-and-as-well/182922
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [June 19, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-the-sign-and-the-and-as-well/182922 "2003-06-19T14:26:49Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)
#### Post date: [June 19, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-the-sign-and-the-and-as-well/182922/1 "2003-06-19T14:26:49Z")
Just wondering here. I can remember learning where the %, @, !, signs came from but the #,&, \* I simply do not recall learning where they came from?
Anyone know the origins of these three signs?
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### Author:  [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)
#### Post date: [June 19, 2003, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-the-sign-and-the-and-as-well/182922/2 "2003-06-19T14:35:20Z")
The & is derived from a shorthand way of writing “et”, the Latin for “and”. Imagine a capital script E with a stroke on the lower tail as though crossing a t.
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### Author:  [@Francis\_E\_Dec\_Esq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_E_Dec_Esq)
#### Post date: [June 19, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-the-sign-and-the-and-as-well/182922/3 "2003-06-19T15:31:38Z")
[@](http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=20000427)
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### Author:  [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)
#### Post date: [June 19, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-the-sign-and-the-and-as-well/182922/4 "2003-06-19T16:05:54Z")
Pound Sign or [#](http://www.merriamwebster.com/wftw/02nov/110802.htm)
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### Author:  [@Engywook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engywook)
#### Post date: [June 19, 2003, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-the-sign-and-the-and-as-well/182922/5 "2003-06-19T18:18:08Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by DeVena \*
> \*\*Pound Sign or [#](http://www.merriamwebster.com/wftw/02nov/110802.htm) \*\*
Which is really interesting, but it leaves two questions:
1. Where did it come from? The other two pound symbols are really intuitive. This one’s not. Worse, it’s got to be one of the more annoying symbols to do in handwriting.
2. How did # end up pulling double duty as the number sign in the first place?
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### Author:  [@Earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthling)
#### Post date: [June 19, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-origin-of-the-sign-and-the-and-as-well/182922/6 "2003-06-19T18:49:07Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by CookingWithGas \*
> \*\*The & is derived from a shorthand way of writing “et”, the Latin for “and”. Imagine a capital script E with a stroke on the lower tail as though crossing a t. \*\*
[A fuller explanation](http://www.adobe.com/type/topics/theampersand.html), with pictures!