[self-split] What do asterisks around words mean? (eg: *this*) - Printable Version
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[self-split] What do asterisks around words mean? (eg: *this*) by CookieRevised on 06-22-2005 at 03:48 PM
in reference to
http://shoutbox.menthix.net/showthread.php?tid=46...d=483812#pid483812
quote:It means the word is emphasized as bold writing.
Originally posted by multimillion2k
what do those asterisks *really* mean??
This type of emphesizing words is used when no graphical code (visible layouting of text) is available. Or when graphical code is available but the user doesn't want to use the special tags, but plain text characters.
Using those special "markers" in texts which could be formed in a graphical way could also mean that the user wants to emphesize a word, but not as clearly/much as with the visible layout tags. Thus *this* would mean a bit less bold emphesized as this....
most common used:
*bold*
_underlined_
Note: This use of emphasizing comes from the time that word processors weren't WYSIWYG and visible graphical layouting of text wasn't available (eg: Word Perfect for DOS)
You can still use those emphasing characters in some modern word processors though. It will automatically change the encapseled word in the proper visible text layout (eg: When you type *this* in MS Word, it will autoamtically be converted to this... <= you can turn this beheviour on/off in the settings of MS Word.)
RE: [self-split] What do asterisks around words mean? (eg: *this*) by crazihouse on 06-22-2005 at 07:26 PM
Haha nice reference!
Cool mini-fact that may be helpful to some of the *newer* people on the forums or those that aren't fully accustomed to the whole internet scene. Thanks!
RE: [self-split] What do asterisks around words mean? (eg: *this*) by John Anderton on 06-22-2005 at 08:04 PM
I didnt know that. I thought it was only to grab attention. I didnt know it was for bold and underlines 
RE: [self-split] What do asterisks around words mean? (eg: *this*) by ProblemWv Authority on 06-22-2005 at 08:37 PM
It seems that some people also (on the internet) use it to describe actions aswell such as:
Who...me? *looks behind*
Or something like that. Just thought I'd add that aswell
.
RE: [self-split] What do asterisks around words mean? (eg: *this*) by TylerG on 06-23-2005 at 04:13 AM
I always thought the *s were meant to show sarcasm or something of the sort. That is a cool tip about MS Word though, I need to try that out.
RE: RE: [self-split] What do asterisks around words mean? (eg: *this*) by rav0 on 06-23-2005 at 07:11 AM
quote:You would normally put an asterisks just at the front, and on these forums, you can type /me clicks "Post Reply"
Originally posted by ProblemWv Authority
It seems that some people also (on the internet) use it to describe actions aswell such as:
Who...me? *looks behind*
Or something like that. Just thought I'd add that aswell
* rav0 clicks "Post Reply"
RE: [self-split] What do asterisks around words mean? (eg: *this*) by CookieRevised on 06-23-2005 at 11:51 AM
quote:It seems that in MS Word the underscore emhasizing character means in fact "Italized" and not "Underlined"...
Originally posted by CookieRevised
most common used:
*bold*
_underlined_
Note: This use of emphasizing comes from the time that word processors weren't WYSIWYG and visible graphical layouting of text wasn't available (eg: Word Perfect for DOS)
You can still use those emphasing characters in some modern word processors though. It will automatically change the encapseled word in the proper visible text layout (eg: When you type *this* in MS Word, it will autoamtically be converted to this... <= you can turn this beheviour on/off in the settings of MS Word.)
-------
quote:yep, also both true... since non-WYSIWYG editors become the standard, the original use of emphasizing words in this way has become almost obsolete and now it is also often used to indicate some trivial action in non formal text. Only the context of the text indicates which meaning has to be given to the characters...
Originally posted by rav0
quote:You would normally put an asterisks just at the front, and on these forums, you can type /me clicks "Post Reply"
Originally posted by ProblemWv Authority
It seems that some people also (on the internet) use it to describe actions aswell such as:
Who...me? *looks behind*
Or something like that. Just thought I'd add that aswell
* rav0 clicks "Post Reply"
RE: [self-split] What do asterisks around words mean? (eg: *this*) by gif83 on 06-23-2005 at 01:41 PM
quote:
Originally posted by ProblemWv Authority
It seems that some people also (on the internet) use it to describe actions aswell such as:
Who...me? *looks behind*
agreed. i have been known to use bounding asterisks to describe self action *nods*.