Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Let's explore where #@&§ came from. And download the Opera browser for free here: https://opr.as/06-Opera-browser-robwords and enjoy its many handy features.

Did you know #, &, @, § and ¶ are all made up of letters? In fact, they each represent specific words. In this video, I'll explain where these little symbols came from and what they're actually called. Join me as we explore the hidden logic of your keyboard.

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CAMERA: Manuel Vering
EDITING: Martyn Williams
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==CHAPTERS==
0:00 Introduction
0:20 # Hash/pound/octothorp origin
5:40 # Musical sharp origin
8:35 & Ampersand origin
10:35 @ At symbol origin
14:26 § Section sign origin
15:05 ¶ Pilcrow origin
17:44 * Asterisk and others
19:35 👉 Manicule