The @ Sign in English: Origin, Uses and Meaning

The Historical Origin of the Arroba

The origin of the arroba is a mystery that dates back several centuries. Although there has been much speculation about its provenance, its exact history has not yet been confirmed with certainty.

1. Theory of Arabic

A popular theory suggests that the arroba comes from the Arabic "الربع" (al-rub), meaning "a quarter." It is believed that Spanish merchants trading in Arab products in the 16th century adopted this symbol to represent a weight of a quarter quintal, that is, 25 pounds. Over time, the shape of the symbol was simplified to the "@" we know today.

2. Use in Medieval Manuscripts

Another theory holds that the arroba originated in medieval European manuscripts. It was used as an abbreviation of the Latin word "ad," which means "to" or "toward." Medieval scribes often used abbreviated symbols to save time when copying texts by hand.

3. Use in Commercial Correspondence

In the 18th century, the arroba was used in commercial correspondence in Spain to denote "arrobas" of products such as wine, oil and cereals. This usage relates to the Arabic theory mentioned above.

Traditional Uses of the Arroba in English

The arroba has had a variety of uses throughout history, some of which have fallen out of use in English. Below are some of the traditional uses of the arroba:

1. Weight Measurement

In the past, the arroba was used in English to denote a unit of weight, especially in the trade of goods such as sugar and coffee. For example, "5 pounds @ $2" indicated five pounds at a price of two dollars per pound.

2. Volume Unit

In some regions, especially in the Caribbean, the arroba was used to measure the volume of liquids, especially rum. One arroba of rum was equivalent to about 4.2 liters.

3. Music

In musical notation, the at sign is used to represent a sustained or subdued note, indicating that the note should be played or sung with a slightly longer duration than usual.

4. In Mathematics

In mathematics, the at is sometimes used to represent an unknown variable or a value that is not specifically defined.

The Resurgence of the Arroba in the Digital Age

Although the arroba had traditional uses in the past, its most significant resurgence occurred with the arrival of the digital age and the Internet. Here are some ways the at has become essential in online communication:

1. Email Addresses

The at sign is a fundamental element in email addresses. When you send an email to someone, the address usually takes the form of " [email protected] ," where "name" is the name of the user and "domain.com" is the name of the email server.

2. Mentions on Social Networks

On social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, the at sign is used to mention other users in posts or comments. For example, typing "@user" notifies the named user of the post and allows direct interaction.

3. References to User Accounts

In Internet slang, at signs are used to refer to specific user accounts. For example, "#@expertchef" could refer to the Twitter account of an expert chef.

4. Hashtags

Although not a direct use of the at sign, hashtags on social media often begin with an at sign. Hashtags are words or phrases preceded by the "#" symbol, used to categorize and search for related content.

5. Gender Identification

In some contexts of gender activism and feminism, the arroba has been used to represent non-binary or non-traditional gender-conforming genders. For example, "amig@s" is used to include all gender identities.

Curiosities about the Arroba in English

The at sign in English has also generated some interesting curiosities:

1. The Symbol of Programmers

In computer programming, the at sign is used in email addresses and in some regular expressions. Its use in email syntax led some programmers to call it "at" instead of "at" (in English, "at" means "at" or "at").

2. Evolution of your Name in English

In English, the at sign has been called various things over the years, including "atmark," "at symbol," "at sign," and simply "at." Today, "at" is the most common way to refer to it.

How to Pronounce Arroba in English?

The pronunciation of the at sign in English can vary depending on the context. It is generally pronounced like "at" or "at sign." For example, an email address like " [email protected] " would be pronounced like "John at example dot com."

Conclusion

The at sign, that small symbol with a mysterious origin, has become an essential part of our communication in the digital age. From its use in email addresses to mentions on social networks, the at plays a fundamental role in our daily lives online. Knowing its history and uses in English helps us better understand its relevance in today's world. So the next time you see an email address or a mention on social media, remember the fundamental role of the at sign in modern communication.