octothorpe

1. A symbol used in computing, often referred to as a hashtag or pound sign (#).

   synonyms:hashtagpound sign

The term 'octothorpe' is believed to have been coined in the 1960s by Bell Laboratories employees. The prefix 'octo-' refers to the eight points of the symbol, while the suffix '-thorpe' is thought to be a playful nod to the Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe, although its exact origin is debated.

This word is primarily used in the context of computing and social media, particularly when discussing hashtags and programming.

While 'octothorpe' is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it has gained popularity in tech circles and among social media users, especially in discussions about hashtags.

When I was coding, I had to use the octothorpe to comment out the lines in my program.

The octothorpe has become an essential part of social media, allowing users to tag their posts.

During the meeting, someone joked about how the octothorpe should be renamed to something more fun.

The word 'octothorpe' might sound quirky, but it has an intriguing backstory. Coined by Bell Labs engineers, it cleverly combines the number of lines in the symbol with a nod to an Olympic legend. Today, it serves as a playful reminder of how language evolves with technology. While you may not hear it often in casual chat, its cousin, the hashtag, has taken social media by storm, making the octothorpe a silent yet significant player in digital communication.