Etymology:
"Unquote" is a blend of the prefixes "un-" (meaning "opposite of" or "undo") and "quote."
Meaning:
"Unquote" means to end a quoted passage or to indicate that the quoted material has come to an end. It can also be used to cancel or withdraw a previous quotation.
The term "unquote" originated in the early 20th century. Its origins are closely tied to the development of quotation marks in written English.
Punctuation Conventions:
Traditionally, single quotation marks (' ') were used to indicate direct speech or quoted material. However, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the use of double quotation marks (" ") became more common.
Ambiguity and Confusion:
As double quotation marks became the standard punctuation for quotations, the potential for confusion arose. Readers could become uncertain whether the quoted material had ended or if the quotation continued within the same set of quotation marks.
Solution: "Unquote" as a Marker:
To clarify the end of a quoted passage, writers began using the term "unquote." This became a way to explicitly mark the end of the quoted text, preventing any ambiguity.
Usage Today:
"Unquote" is still commonly used in written English, particularly in formal and academic contexts. It is typically placed within parentheses or square brackets at the end of a quoted passage:
"This is a famous quote," he said. (Unquote) [Unquote] "This is a famous quote," he said.
Etymology The word quote originates from the Latin verb cotare which means to mark
Etymology and Meaning of Unquote Etymology Unquote is a blend of the prefixes un
Etymology The word camera is derived from the Latin word camera meaning room or c
Etymology The word profane derives from the Latin profanus meaning outside the tem
Etymology The word invention is derived from the Latin word invenire meaning to com
Etymology Latin affidavit meaning he she has sworn third person singular perfect
Etymology of Heuristic The term heuristic originates from the Greek word heuriskein
Etymology The word alliteration is derived from the Latin word ad meaning to and
Etymology The word proverb originates from the Latin word proverbium which means a
Etymology The word bedlam derives from the name of the mental hospital in London Bethl
