! . . . That symbol is called . . .

[trifectarich]

So, I'm working through a backlog of NYT crosswords over the weekend.

As I begin to fill in one answer, E-X-C-L-A-M-A-T-I-O-N-P-O-I . . . I realize it's one block short of what I'm trying to fit in. After working to fill in some of the blanks at the end of the answer, it comes to me they're looking for "exclamation mark" instead of "exclamation point." I do not see exclamation "mark" in my stylebook or my dictionary.

In 30 years of journalism I've never heard it called this. Anyone else?

 

[Barsuk]

It's an exclamation point to me.

 

[Flash]

We refer to it as a 'slammer.'

 

[Angola!]

Did someone call?

 

[friend of a friend]

Whatever JDV calls it is good with me, since he uses it most.

 

[Mystery_Meat]

bang?

 

[JR]

They're interchangeable.

I think "mark" may be more British but they're synonyms.

 

[Chi City 81]

It's a slammer, in newspaper parlance. Especially when used with GOTCHA!

 

[Flash]

JESUS IS BACK!

 

[Barsuk]

It's a slammer, in newspaper parlance. Especially when used with GOTCHA!

Nice.

 

[Cansportschick]

So, I'm working through a backlog of NYT crosswords over the weekend.

As I begin to fill in one answer, E-X-C-L-A-M-A-T-I-O-N-P-O-I . . . I realize it's one block short of what I'm trying to fit in. After working to fill in some of the blanks at the end of the answer, it comes to me they're looking for "exclamation mark" instead of "exclamation point." I do not see exclamation "mark" in my stylebook or my dictionary.

In 30 years of journalism I've never heard it called this. Anyone else?

I have....in my first year j school class.

 

[bydesign77]

It's a factorial symbol in math.

 

[friend of a friend]

I'm sorry, I was told there would be no math.

 

[Barsuk]

So, I'm working through a backlog of NYT crosswords over the weekend.

As I begin to fill in one answer, E-X-C-L-A-M-A-T-I-O-N-P-O-I . . . I realize it's one block short of what I'm trying to fit in. After working to fill in some of the blanks at the end of the answer, it comes to me they're looking for "exclamation mark" instead of "exclamation point." I do not see exclamation "mark" in my stylebook or my dictionary.

In 30 years of journalism I've never heard it called this. Anyone else?

I have....in my first year j school class.

Damn Canucks.

 

[zeke12]

Fight urge to ... Paper... Jack... Urge too powerful...

Three-oh-nine!

 

[GB-Hack]

They're interchangeable.

I think "mark" may be more British but they're synonyms.

I've always used "point" myself. Can't think of anyone I know using "mark".

 

[bydesign77]

Then why isn't '?' a question point? I'm so confused.

 

[finishthehat]

It's officially called "Half an Interrobang."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interrobang

 

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

Who gives a ****? It's gone.

 

[Chi City 81]

Deadline: A time before which something must be met.