Question

What does the Latin root ‘virgula’ of the word for the punctuation mark “/” (forward slash or virgule) mean?
A) Twig or small branch
B) Cut
C) Small tail
D) Drift

Answer 1

Hint: Punctuation marks are certain symbols used in languages to help in writing as well as understanding text. They include full stops, commas, semicolons and so on. Each punctuation mark has its own importance in the English language and has its own history and derivation.

Complete answer:
Let us analyze the given options:
Option A) Twig or small branch: A twig or small branch is the correct answer. The modern “/” forward slash derives its name from the medieval European Virgule. The word Virgule is derived from the word: Virgula (Latin) and it means a twig. In medieval Europe, the ‘virgula’ was not only used for forwarding slash but for full-stops, commas as well.
Option B) Cut: Option B is the wrong answer as the word ‘Virgula’ in Latin does not refer to a cut nor was it used to refer to any kind of cut.
Option C) Small Tail: Option C is the wrong option as it has no clear or direct relevance to either punctuations, slash or the Latin word given above.
Option D) Drift: The word ‘drift’ is not the meaning of the root word for a forward slash in Latin. It actually means getting carried away due to the usual external forces of nature like water and wind and has no relation to ‘virgula’.

Therefore the correct answer is option ‘A’.

Note: A slash can be used in different instances-it can be used to give a break in any text or can be used to depict another choice in the context. It can be used in the place of the preposition ‘or’ and more recently it is used while describing the pronouns of any person. For example, she/her, they/them and so on.