Slashes

/ˈslæʃɪz/ noun

Definition

Cuts or slits made with sharp, violent strokes, or symbols (/) used in writing to separate items.

Etymology

From Old French 'esclachier' meaning 'to break' or 'to crack,' possibly imitative. The forward slash symbol (/) was adopted in writing to separate items or indicate alternatives.

Kelly Says

The forward slash (/) became exponentially more important with internet addresses—'www.site.com/page/section'—but it originally came from punctuation needs, showing how old symbols gain new power in digital contexts.

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