Interrobang Punctuation: How to Use the Interrobang - 2021

An interrobang (sometimes called an interabang or exclamation question mark) is a nonstandard double punctuation mark that combines the glyphs and functions of the question mark and exclamation point. The glyph for an interrobang is ‽, but you can also write it as !?, ?!, or ?!? if a particular [typeface](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/typeface-guide) doesn’t have a dedicated interrobang typographical mark. Variations include an inverted and upside-down glyph (⸘) for languages like Spanish that use inverted punctuation marks. Unlike English grammar’s 14 standard punctuation marks—like the [comma](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/comma-rules-explained), semicolon, period (full stop), quotation mark, or [ellipsis](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-elliptical-sentence)—the interrobang is a nonstandard punctuation mark, typically reserved for informal writing. Writers rarely use it in formal writing, except for occasional instances in chess notation. The interrobang has its origins in the 1960s: - __Origin__: Advertising head Martin K. Speckter designed and named the interrobang, proposing the new character in his 1962 *TYPEtalks* article, “Making a New Point, or, How About That.” - __Rise__: By the mid-1960s, many typographical societies and printers embraced the interrobang symbol, and its popularity began trending upward. Notable examples included Richard Isbell’s typeface Americana, which Isbell designed for the American Type Founders business trust, and Remington typewriters, many of which featured an interrobang key. - __Decline__: By the mid-1970s, fewer people and publications used the interrobang key and questioned its necessity over a single punctuation mark like the exclamation point or question mark. By the late 1970s, the interrobang fell out of fashion. Speckter’s obituary, printed in the *New York Times*, heralded him as the inventor of the little-used interrobang. Today, writers rarely use the interrobang outside of informal <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communication","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communication . In the English language, the interrobang comes at the end of a sentence, similarly to a question mark or exclamation point, adding energy in the form of a question. It may convey either shocked incredulity (e.g., “You’re wearing *that* to the party‽”) or an excited query (e.g., “They’re taking us out for ice cream‽”). Here’s how to write or type an interrobang: - __How to write an interrobang__: To write an interrobang, first write a question mark (?), and then draw a straight line nested within the question mark to signify the exclamation point (!). You do not need to add a second point beneath the question mark. - __How to type an interrobang with Unicode__: In Unicode-enabled systems, you can type an interrobang with the Unicode U+203D. To do this, press and hold the alt key, then type a plus sign (+) followed by the key code 203D. Then release the alt key. - __How to type an interrobang with the Character Palette__: You can find an interrobang symbol in the Character Palette on macOS systems. To do this, press control (CTRL), then command (CMD), then the space bar, which will open up a menu with a range of symbols and emojis. Scroll until you find the interrobang symbol, then click to use it. - __How to type an interrobang in HTML__: When using HTML, you can signify an interrobang symbol with the code ‽. - __How to insert an interrobang without a key code__: If you want to insert an interrobang glyph into a computer document without entering a code or using the Character Palette, you may copy and paste an interrobang symbol from another document or webpage by selecting the symbol, right-clicking, clicking copy, and then right-clicking into your document and clicking paste. Advertising head Martin K. Speckter coined the name “interrobang,” which combines the words “interrogate” (“interro” from the Latin “interrogatio” for “rhetorical question” or “cross-examination”) and “bang” (from printers’ slang for an exclamation mark). The name of the mark aligns with the definition of the interrobang. Become a better writer with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Malcolm Gladwell, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, and more. The interrobang is a lesser-known punctuation mark that combines the question mark and exclamation point. Learn about the history of the non-standard punctuation mark and how it’s used in writing.