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@sjl
Last active December 20, 2015 06:09
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# Dialects

I pronounce the # character a bunch of different ways, depending on the context:

thing how I say it
#python on freenode irc pound python
#! in the first line of a script hash bang (as in "hash bang bin bash")
#include in a C file pound include
#+ and #- Lisp reader thingies sharp plus and sharp minus
#' Lisp reader thing sharp quote
#(...) Clojure function pound paren
this tweet is about #coffee pound coffee (though I know it's called a "hash" tag)

Am I weird, or do other people do this too? Complete the table in a reply (and add any extra contexts I forgot):

| thing | how I say it |
| ----- | ------------ |
| `#python` on freenode irc | x |
| `#!` in the first line of a script | x |
| `#include` in a C file | x |
| `#+` and `#-` Lisp reader thingies | x |
| `#'` Lisp reader thing | x |
| `#(...)` Clojure function | x |
| this tweet is about `#coffee` | x |
@goonzoid
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thing how I say it
#python on freenode irc hash python
#! in the first line of a script hash bang
#include in a C file hash include or pound include*
#+ and #- Lisp reader thingies I don't really Lisp, but I would say hash
this tweet is about #coffee hash coffee
  • The pound version is new. It basically depends on who I'm talking to. I am from the UK, and I'm pretty sure here we say hash for everything, but if I'm talking to an American I try to say pound include in this context.

@bhilburn
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thing how I say it
#python on freenode irc pound python
#! in the first line of a script shebang
#include in a C file pound include
#+ and #- Lisp reader thingies nope
#' Lisp reader thing nope
#(...) Clojure function nope
this tweet is about #coffee hashtag coffee

@jmcguckin
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Octothorpe

@BAXTER001
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thing how I say it
#python on freenode irc python channel
#! in the first line of a script shebang
#include in a C file hash include
#+ and #- Lisp reader thingies sharp plus, sharp minus
#' Lisp reader thing sharp
#(...) Clojure function hash mangled
this tweet is about #coffee coffee hashtag

'Hash' in most contexts, unless I've been taught that the proper noun for that sequence was different in the case of lisp and of course C#

When communicating with non-techies I usually go for 'hash' or 'the number symbol'

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