If you write, you use punctuation every day without even thinking about it. Periods end sentences, commas organize ideas, question marks signal curiosity, and so on... but these symbols weren’t always part of the writing lexicon. Many evolved from ancient scholarship, medieval handwriting, annoyed monks, and even business shorthand. Here’s a quick tour through the surprisingly fascinating history of the punctuation you use in your writing to this day! The Ampersand (&) Image