The percontation point (punctus percontativus), or rhetorical question mark, also known as an ironicon, was invented by Henry Denham in the 1580s and was used at the end of a rhetorical question; its use died out in the 17th century. It was the reverse of an ordinary question mark, so that instead of the main opening pointing back into the sentence, it opened away from it. The percontation point is analogous to the “irony mark”—used to indicate that a sentence should be understood at a second level (e.g. irony, sarcasm, etc.)—but these are rarely seen.
Fun Fact – Punctuation To Denote Sarcasm/Irony First Proposed In 1580s
Published July 5, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: Henry Denham, ironicon, irony, irony mark, Percontation point, punctuation, rhetorical question mark, sarcasm
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