Interrobang

Quick meaning: Interrobang is a noun meaning The nonstandard punctuation mark ⟨‽⟩ (a combination of ⟨?⟩ and ⟨!⟩), which may be used at the end of a sentence to express excitement or disbelief, or to indicate that it is a rhetorical question.

Meaning

The nonstandard punctuation mark ⟨‽⟩ (a combination of ⟨?⟩ and ⟨!⟩), which may be used at the end of a sentence to express excitement or disbelief, or to indicate that it is a rhetorical question.

More Meanings

1. (rare) A combination of a question mark and an exclamation mark; ⟨!?⟩ or ⟨?!⟩.
2. (chiefly humorous) To exclaim and question at the same time.

Example Sentences

It was not until entering the fourth movement when he would finally stop all strumming to interject with an interrobang: “WHERE is that voice COMING from!?”

My Jungle page had become bloated with messages since the press conference — notes from people at school, neighbors and strangers. A few people from Star Club left nice comments, and a few classmates wrote “so sorry to hear” messages. Even an interrobang-filled rant from Sasha Rosenberg?!

For instance, Taylor (2002: 568–570) discusses the ‘incredulity response construction’ in English as an example of a CI, exemplified by expressions such as Him write a novel?! and Me worry?! The CI has the schematic form of [nom_(sbj) v_(inf) (np)?!]. When written, it is often punctuated with an interrobang (‽ or ?!).

Interrobang — !?, ?!, or ‽ / What?! You’ve never heard of the interrobang!? Really? Well, now you have, so all is forgiven. An interrobang is […] used to end sentences where you really want both the exclamation point and the question mark. […] The word is used to describe both the two side by side (!? or ?!) or the combined symbol (‽).

Word Forms

• interrobangs
• interabang
• interrobanging
• interrobanged

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include bang, interpunct, pling, astonisher, semicolon, backslash.

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