How to Use an Asterisk

Today we’re talking about the asterisk: how you use it and how it differs from other footnote symbols.

What Is An Asterisk?

The asterisk is the little star symbol above the “8” key on your keyboard. The word comes from a Greek word meaning “ little star.” (1) In the past, asterisks were used to show the omission of a letter or a passage in time, but that role has largely been taken over by the ellipsis.

It’s also commonly mispronounced. The right pronunciation is “aste-risk.” You’ve probably heard it pronounced like “aste-rix” or “aste-rick,” but it’s “aste-risk.” (2) 

How to Use An Asterisk 

When you use the asterisk as a footnote symbol, it shows that you are planning to comment on something at the bottom of the page. You’ve made a promise, so you’d better keep it. The first rule for using asterisks is if you use one, make sure the reference starts at the bottom of the same page.

Unfortunately often, advertisements will have an asterisk that doesn’t refer to anything on the page. It leaves you wondering what the restrictions are. If the ad reads "Zombie Repellant, 20% off,*" and the asterisk refers to nothing, you wonder whether the discount only applies on certain days or for certain people. Does the discount apply if the zombie apocalypse has already begun? Are zombies themselves excluded from the offer?

Chuck Tomasi pointed out that Rich Hall, author of the "Sniglets" books, made up a name for the feeling you get when you encounter an orphan apostrophe: asterexasperation. And here’s a little-known piece of trivia. Arnie Ten, the artist who drew the illustrations in the "Sniglets" books, was also the artist for the first two Grammar Girl books. He's the one who first brought Squiggly, Aardvark, and the peeves to life, so to speak.

Using an Asterisk as a Footnote Symbol

So, do asterisks differ from other footnote symbols, like numbers or letters? Yes. The Chicago Manual of Style says to use asterisks if you have just a handful of references on which you’re planning to comment. (2) You can also use asterisks when you need to avoid using numbers or letters for indicating footnotes.

However, if you have more than one comment on a single page, you typically use a set of symbols in a specific order. One common sequence is to start with the asterisk and continue with the dagger, double dagger, section mark, parallels, and number sign. If you need more symbols, you start...

Keep reading on Quick and Dirty Tips