5 Punctuation Marks You’ve Probably Never Heard Of (But Should Know)
You already know the basics—periods, commas, question marks, and the ever-controversial Oxford comma. But did you know there’s a punctuation mark that combines a question mark and an exclamation point? Or one that used to be used to show sarcasm?
In honor of National Punctuation Day (September 24!), let’s take a peek at 5 lesser-known punctuation marks that will tickle your inner grammar nerd. These quirky marks aren’t common in everyday writing—but they are fascinating, fun, and just maybe… due for a comeback.
Planning a fun grammar activity for National Punctuation Day? Be sure to check out our National Days of September writing prompt collection.
1. The Interrobang (‽)
What is it? A combination of a question mark and an exclamation point, used for shocked or excited questions.
Example:
You did what‽
Why it’s fun:
It was created in the 1960s and has serious comic book energy. It’s perfect for dramatic writing—or texting your best friend in full capslock.
2. The Irony Mark (؟)
What is it? A backward question mark, proposed in the 1800s to indicate sarcasm or irony.
Example:
Oh, great, another meeting؟
Why it’s fun:
It never really caught on—but wouldn’t it be amazing if it did? The irony mark would save so many online misunderstandings.
3. The Asterism (⁂)
What is it? A trio of asterisks in a triangle, traditionally used to mark a section break or scene change.
Example:
In older books, you might see this instead of a line break or decorative flourish.
Why it’s fun:
It’s elegant and dramatic. Like a punctuation mark that wears a cloak.
4. The Percontation Point (؟ again!)
Yes—it’s another name for the irony mark, but with a slightly different proposed usage: indicating rhetorical questions.
Example:
Who knows what the future holds؟
Why it’s fun:
It shows just how badly people have always wanted a punctuation mark for tone—and how hard it is to get one to stick.
5. The Snark Mark (~)
What is it? A made-up punctuation mark (often shown as a tilde or backwards exclamation mark) proposed for sarcastic statements.
Example:
Oh, that was just ~so~ helpful.
Why it’s fun:
It’s unofficial… but kind of brilliant. Grammar nerds on the internet have been pushing for it for years. Some even use double tildes to indicate maximum sass.
🎁 Bonus: Curated Picks for National Punctuation Day
Want to celebrate National Punctuation Day in the nerdiest, most delightful way possible? We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite punctuation-inspired items—clever, quirky, and perfect for grammar lovers of all ages.
Punctuation Marks T-Shirt
This playful tee brings punctuation to life. It’s a fun way to show your grammar love—whether you’re teaching, writing, or just rocking your inner punctuation fan.
👉 Find it here on Amazon
12-Piece Punctuation Poster Set
Bright, bold, and classroom-ready, this 12-piece poster set covers all the essential punctuation marks with easy-to-understand examples.
👉 Find it here on amazon
📘 Featured Book: Punctuation Takes a Vacation
What happens when punctuation marks decide to pack their bags and leave? Chaos—and plenty of laughs! This clever picture book is a perfect read-aloud for classrooms or homeschoolers, especially on National Punctuation Day. Bonus: it sneaks in real learning while keeping things silly.
👉 Find it here on Amazon
Punctuation Christmas Ornaments
Grammar meets holiday cheer! This delightfully nerdy ornament set features an ampersand, question mark, and exclamation point, each standing just over 3 inches tall. Made of durable polystone, they’re perfect for grammar lovers, English teachers, or anyone who wants their holiday decor to make a statement.
👉 Find it here on amazon
✍️ Just for Fun: Can You Spot the Rare Punctuation Marks?
Let’s try them in action…
“Another comma splice‽” groaned Ella, holding up the red pen like a sword.
“You should see the irony in this؟” Max smirked, tilting his grammar crown.
⁂
The asterisk army marched in… but it was too late. The sentence had already run on. ~Tragic.~
