Off-topic informational anti-spam anecdotal

From: Don Maslin <donm_at_cts.com>
Date: Fri Jul 24 13:28:39 1998

On Thu, 23 Jul 1998, D. Peschel wrote:

> > > The thing actually has an official name, but I doubt many people still use
> > > it. Its an "octothorpe"!
>
> > You mean those little 'prongs' sticking out on the four sides are
> > "thorpes"? How 'bout that! Learn something new every day. :)
>
> No, the squares framed by the lines are "thorpes." The unmarked square is not
> a thorpe.
>
> 1 | 2 | 3
> ---+-----+---
> 4 | | 5
> ---+-----+---
> 6 | 7 | 8
>
> At least, that's the way I understand it. Apparently the symbol was used on
> maps to denote small villages. Also apparently, the symbol depicts a village
> surrounded by eight crop fields; this relates to the name ("octo" + "thorpe" =
> "eight" + "field"). I thought the word "thorpe" (as used in English place-
> names) referred to the village itself, but I could be wrong.
>
> Whatever the story, octothorpe DOES seem to be the official name!
>
> -- Derek
 
Now that is fascinating. Really!
                                                 - don
Received on Fri Jul 24 1998 - 13:28:39 BST