Keyboard Mystery

[Retlaw]

Whilst reading some of the remembrance notices in the old newspaper, I've notice the following twiddley bit use many times ; what is it called, and what exactly is it used for, can't make any sense of its usage from the Observer.
Also whilst on the subject of thingy's on keyboards, whats the diferrence between the usage of and, and & when is it appropriate to use the later.

Retlaw.

[Neil]

This explains the use of the semicolon ; as clearly as mud The Semicolon

[Margaret Pilkington]

Retlaw, it is a semi colon....and this explains its use.

How to use a semicolon - The Oatmeal

I know this is an American site, but I liked the way it explains it.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Neil, I think mine is better.

[DaveinGermany]

Semi colon ; and Ampersand &. You're probably best looking at some kind of writers/writing site for an explanation of uses Retlaw.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Neil, I think mine is better.

Still as clear as mud.

[susie123]

Originally Posted by Retlaw

Whilst reading some of the remembrance notices in the old newspaper, I've notice the following twiddley bit use many times ; what is it called, and what exactly is it used for, can't make any sense of its usage from the Observer.
Also whilst on the subject of thingy's on keyboards, whats the diferrence between the usage of and, and & when is it appropriate to use the later.

Retlaw.

I know you don't like me cutting and pasting Retlaw but this is as good a description of the use of the semi colon ; as you'll get:

Semicolon ( - Oxford Dictionaries Online

As for the ampersand, it's not usual to use it in a sentence instead of "and". Its main use is in things like company names (Marks & Spencer) or pairs like Mr & Mrs or rhythm & blues, and book or movie titles such as Thelma & Louise.

Hope this helps.

[Margaret Pilkington]

The other twiddly bit is an Ampersand......used for the word 'and'........but personally I wouldn't use it other than in something like Marks & Spencers.
Again here is something about it.

Grammar Girl : Ampersand :: Quick and Dirty Tips

[Margaret Pilkington]

Sue...you beat me to it.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

The other twiddly bit is an Ampersand......used for the word 'and'........but personally I wouldn't use it other than in something like Marks & Spencers.
Again here is something about it.

Grammar Girl : Ampersand :: Quick and Dirty Tips

I thought your link was going to be a bit more interesting than it was. I was looking forward to Grammer Girl's dirty tips

[Margaret Pilkington]

Originally Posted by Neil

Still as clear as mud.

I think this is aimed at children...and so I thought it would be as clear as it could be.......I understood it.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Originally Posted by Neil

I thought your link was going to be a bit more interesting than it was. I was looking forward to Grammer Girl's dirty tips

Yes Neil.....I thought you might...what a good reason for posting the link......to lead a moderator on.
That's the naughtiest thing I have done all day...but it isn't bedtime yet.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Yes Neil.....I thought you might...what a good reason for posting the link......to lead a moderator on.
That's the naughtiest thing I have done all day...but it isn't bedtime yet.

You are a terribly naughty girl, from the bedtime comment I assume you will be sneaking choccy biccies into bed later for a midnight snack

[Margaret Pilkington]

no nothing like that....what I meant was....I still have time to be naughty....but I'm not saying how naughty

[Retlaw]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Retlaw, it is a semi colon....and this explains its use.

How to use a semicolon - The Oatmeal

I know this is an American site, but I liked the way it explains it.

Thanks Margaret.
This bit explains it more or less exactly as I need to use in in my files. I've been using that other dooffer as in Howard & Bullough's, so I got that bit right.
So whats this thingy used for :

Retlaw