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AIBU?

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Original poster

Exclamation marks overuse

38 replies

lollipoprainbow · 29/06/2023 07:01

There was a recent Facebook post about a man that had gone missing locally and a subsequent update a few weeks later to say he had sadly passed away followed by RIP and loads of exclamation marks. It makes me cringe when people overuse and inappropriately use exclamation marks. Anyone agree ?

OP posts:
heldinadream · 29/06/2023 08:01

GaspingGekko · 29/06/2023 07:56

It's called an interrabang and it indicates a rhetorical question, not confusion.

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Ah thanks for reminding me it has a name. Also, confusion IS one of its meanings/expressions.

Interrobang - Wikipedia

Interrobang - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interrobang

Sillyfred · 29/06/2023 08:01

The receptionist at DC primary school does it like this

"School trip for YR5 will be at XX and will cost £7. Money by tomorrow 9am PLZ!!!!!....."

Every single time.

Sillyfred · 29/06/2023 07:58

Ah yes, Terry Pratchett was right. Too many exclamation marks IS a sure sign of a diseased mind.

VerticalSausages · 29/06/2023 07:58

Cross post!!!!!!!!!!!

VerticalSausages · 29/06/2023 07:57

heldinadream · 29/06/2023 07:49

I expect it's one of many things she took from this sad event, and one she felt was worth discussing.
Is your post a question or a statement? Because the use of a question mark and an exclamation mark for the same sentence makes you look confused.

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A question mark and exclamation mark together is an interrobang and seems perfectly appropriate in this case

heartsinvisiblefury · 29/06/2023 07:57

Comtesse · 29/06/2023 07:04

That’s the most important thing you took from this sad event?!

🙄

GaspingGekko · 29/06/2023 07:56

heldinadream · 29/06/2023 07:49

I expect it's one of many things she took from this sad event, and one she felt was worth discussing.
Is your post a question or a statement? Because the use of a question mark and an exclamation mark for the same sentence makes you look confused.

Show quote history

It's called an interrabang and it indicates a rhetorical question, not confusion.

SophiaElise · 29/06/2023 07:51

I agree OP. I feel the same way when I see double question marks.

heldinadream · 29/06/2023 07:49

Comtesse · 29/06/2023 07:04

That’s the most important thing you took from this sad event?!

I expect it's one of many things she took from this sad event, and one she felt was worth discussing.
Is your post a question or a statement? Because the use of a question mark and an exclamation mark for the same sentence makes you look confused.

Wat2do222 · 29/06/2023 07:06

Omg! Yes!!!! 😂

Its weird, but I personally associate exclamation marks with humour (not sure why?) so when I see them on posts like the ones you have mentioned I always find it disrespectful. I think in the age of text speak its probably crept in along with emoji and symbols but i think YANBU

!

heldinadream · 29/06/2023 07:04

Yes it's awful, but especially so in a context such as you describe. Implies the poster is excited at sharing horrible news.
They may well be so but should have the insight to keep their excitement out of the discussion.

Comtesse · 29/06/2023 07:04

That’s the most important thing you took from this sad event?!

veryfluffyfluff · 29/06/2023 07:01

Yes!