Meaning of interrobang | Babel Free

Definitions

1. The nonstandard punctuation mark ⟨‽⟩ (a combination of ⟨?⟩ and ⟨!⟩), which may be used at the end of a sentence to express excitement or disbelief, or to indicate that it is a rhetorical question.
2. A combination of a question mark and an exclamation mark; ⟨!?⟩ or ⟨?!⟩.
   rare

Equivalents

Examples

“Has anyone seen an interrobang? It's a newly invented punctuation mark⟳ that looks like⟳ this: ‽ A question⟳ mark⟳ with an exclamation point⟳ superimposed, it's meant to convey that nuance of feeling—a mixture of query and surprise⟳—that people have⟳ in mind⟳ when they say⟳ "Really?", also meaning "Really!", or "How about that‽" […] The cure for incredibility is not more punctuation, but more plain talk⟳. We don't need⟳ symbols like⟳ the interrobang that merely express⟳ our perpetual disbelief. We need⟳ plain words to express⟳ plain truths.”

“The Interrobang is not a font – just a single character. Yet it is so powerful a symbol, and such a flawed and original concept, that it deserves a place⟳ alongside the most adventurous typographic innovations of the last⟳ century. It is an exclamation mark⟳ and a question⟳ mark⟳ combined, a ligature looping the curve of the interrogation with the downward force⟳ of the expletive (which compositors and printers have⟳ traditionally called a bang). When they meld, they need⟳ only one round point⟳ at their base⟳.”

“Popular as it was with writers and admen, the interrobang faced a struggle⟳ for mainstream acceptance. Simulating an interrobang on a typewriter was possible, if clumsy—type⟳ "?" and then overstrike it with "!"—but for typesetters creating a printed document, there was no such shortcut. Those advertisements, brochures, and books that actually honored the writer's use⟳ of the character had to be set⟳ using handcrafted interrobangs, either drawn by an illustrator or sculpted from rubber cement with a razor blade.”

“Introduce⟳ the notion of combining punctuation marks in new ways. Explain⟳ the Interabang and its use⟳ as a nonstandard punctuation mark⟳ intended to combine⟳ the functions of the question⟳ mark⟳ and the exclamation mark⟳. Allowing your students the use⟳ of all keyboard symbols to create⟳ additional punctuation forms, what other punctuation combinations would prove⟳ useful in allowing greater expression through punctuation?”

“Interrobang — !?, ?!, or ‽ / What?! You’ve never heard of the interrobang!? Really? Well, now you have⟳, so all is forgiven. An interrobang is […] used to end⟳ sentences where you really want⟳ both the exclamation point⟳ and the question⟳ mark⟳. […] The word is used to describe⟳ both the two side by side (!? or ?!) or the combined symbol (‽).”

“For instance, Taylor (2002: 568–570) discusses the ‘incredulity response construction’ in English as an example of a CI, exemplified by expressions such as Him write⟳ a novel?! and Me worry⟳?! The CI has the schematic form⟳ of [nom_(sbj) v_(inf) (np)?!]. When written, it is often punctuated with an interrobang (‽ or ?!).”

“My Jungle page had become⟳ bloated with messages since the press⟳ conference — notes from people at school, neighbors and strangers. A few people from Star Club left nice comments, and a few classmates wrote “so sorry to hear⟳” messages. Even an interrobang-filled rant from Sasha Rosenberg?!”

“It was not until entering the fourth movement when he would finally stop⟳ all strumming to interject with an interrobang: “WHERE is that voice COMING from!?””

“Now, when we run⟳ it without supplying a value for the $City parameter, we get⟳ a message suggesting we type⟳ an interrobang (!?) for help⟳: […]”

CEFR level