English Language Discussion Forums

dangquanglocx · #1 30-Sep-2006, 14:21

Hi everybody, can you tell me how is the letter "@" pronounced?
Thanks

**BobK** · #2 30-Sep-2006, 21:34

There was recent disussion in a newspaper about this (probably the Times). The accepted names are '"at" sign', or 'commercial "at"', but the suggestion that had the columnist's approval was - on the analogy of "ampersand" - "atpersand". I disagree, but I'm less influential than the columnist.

The reason for my objection is that 'ampersand' (&) is a contraction of '"and" per se "and"', so that the analogy for "at" should be "atpersat".

Note: this is a metalinguistic rant on my part; I'd advise people to use 'the "at" sign' - although I fear that "atpersand" may catch on.

b

**Red5** · #3 30-Sep-2006, 22:46

I say "at".

Nguyen Tuyet · #4 01-Oct-2006, 02:32

I say " at" too

**Ouisch** · #5 01-Oct-2006, 06:25

I say "at," too.

(I wonder how Bob feels about the interrobang?

)

**Tdol** · #6 01-Oct-2006, 10:21

I also say 'at', but I have heard atmark, as well as commercial at, used. I put a poll up and the majority so far use 'at':
http://www.usingenglish.com/poll/286.html

**BobK** · #7 02-Oct-2006, 08:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tdol

I also say 'at', but I have heard atmark, as well as commercial at, used. I put a poll up and the majority so far use 'at':
http://www.usingenglish.com/poll/286.html

I don't think I've heard anything but "at" among people talking about e-mail addresses.

b

MikeNewYork · #8 02-Oct-2006, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobK

I don't think I've heard anything but "at" among people talking about e-mail addresses.

b

Since the invention of e-mail, @ as "at" has been cemented. IMO it will never change.

**Tdol** · #9 03-Oct-2006, 08:34

I agree, but I have heard people use the other forms in discussions about the name of the symbol. I think that is probably their only use nowadays.