Buzz
1. The hashtag may have originated from the Latin phrase meaning 'pound weight.'
The exact origin of the hash (or pound) symbol remains unclear, but one theory suggests it evolved from the abbreviation of the 14th-century Latin term libra pondo, meaning 'pound weight.' Initially written as 'lb,' a horizontal slash, known as a tittle, was added to link the letters. Over time, as handwriting became faster, the letters and tittle merged, gradually transforming into the symbol we recognize today.
2. The correct term for the hashtag is actually an octothorpe.
The hashtag symbol found its place on telephone keypads as AT&T envisioned a future where phones would interact with computers. To complete the 10-digit keypad layout, they included the numerical sign and an asterisk. Don MacPherson, an AT&T employee, felt the symbol deserved a formal name, so he coined Octothorpe—octo referencing its eight points, and thorpe as a nod to his admiration for the legendary athlete Jim Thorpe.
5. The hashtag has earned a place in the Oxford English Dictionary.
By 2014, the hashtag had gained such prominence that it was officially recognized by the prestigious Oxford English Dictionary. Their definition for the noun form states: 'On social media platforms: a word or phrase preceded by a hash symbol, used to categorize posts by topic. Also, the hash symbol itself when used in this manner.'
