National Ampersand Day

Young adults writing a love letter with fancy pens, wearing vintage fashion, in a cozy bookstore setting.. — National ampersand day illustration

Did you know that there is an entire day dedicated to celebrating the humble & symbol? Yes, my friends, it's National Ampersand Day! Prepare yourself for a delightful dive into the fascinating world of this compact little character that adds flair and style to our writing.

When is Ampersand Day?

It's national ampersand day on the 8th September.

The Origins of the Ampersand

The ampersand, also known as the 'and' symbol, has a long and storied history. Its roots can be traced back to ancient Rome, where it was originally a ligature of the letters 'e' and 't' (et in Latin), meaning 'and.'

Over time, this ligature evolved into the stylized symbol we know and love today. Its name, 'ampersand,' is derived from a corruption of the phrase 'and per se and.' Back in the day, when reciting the alphabet, the Latin phrase 'and per se and' was used to conclude the ampersand's place in the recitation.

A Versatile Symbol

The ampersand is a versatile little character that finds its way into many aspects of our lives. It lights up our text messages, spices up our business names, and adds a touch of playfulness to our social media posts.

On National Ampersand Day, people from all walks of life come together to celebrate and appreciate the unique contribution of this often-overlooked symbol. From writers and designers to typographers and language enthusiasts, everyone can join in the fun!

Celebrate in Style

Wondering how to celebrate this fantastic day? Here are a few suggestions:

Get creative with typography: Try your hand at designing an ampersand-inspired piece of artwork or create a unique ampersand logo.
Play with words: Challenge yourself to make sentences using as many ampersands as possible. It's a fun linguistic exercise!
Host an ampersand-themed party: Decorate your space with ampersand-shaped balloons, serve ampersand-shaped cookies, and get your guests in the mood to celebrate this unique symbol.
Spread the love: Share your favorite ampersand-inspired quotes or images on social media. You never know, you might inspire someone else to appreciate this fabulous symbol!

Did You Know?

The word 'ampersand' doesn't just have a fun origin; it has its own symbol as well! In some fonts, the ampersand is designed to resemble the letters 'et.' It's like a little nod to its ancient Roman roots, keeping the connection alive and well.

History behind the term 'Ampersand'

45 AD

The Birth of the Latin Alphabet

The Latin alphabet was born around 45 AD as a modification of the earlier Etruscan alphabet. It consisted of 23 letters, including the letters 'A' and 'D' that would later make up the word 'ampersand'. At this point, the letters 'A' and 'D' were just two separate characters and had no special connection.

19th Century

The Combination of 'E' and 'T'

As time went on, the Latin alphabet evolved, and its final letter, 'Z', was pronounced as 'zed' in many languages. However, English-speaking children were taught to pronounce it as 'zee'. This led to confusion when reciting the alphabet, because the rhyme needed to include both pronunciations. Hence, in the early 19th century, schoolchildren created a new symbol by combining the letters 'E' and 'T' (pronounced 'et') to form a single character that meant 'and'.

1800s

The Ampersand Character

The symbol resulting from the combination of 'E' and 'T' gained popularity, especially in informal contexts. It was often written in a more elaborate and decorative way, resembling the modern ampersand we know today. This symbol became known as the 'ampersand' and added a visual flair when used in place of the word 'and'.

1879

The Official Exclusion from the Alphabet

Despite its growing popularity, the ampersand was officially excluded from the English alphabet in 1879. This decision emphasized that it should only be used in special cases, such as abbreviations or titles. Nevertheless, the ampersand remains highly recognizable and widely used in logos, design, and informal contexts to this day.