Useless fact
What is the dot over the letter i called?
The small dot over the lowercase letter 'i' or 'j' is called a tittle.
The small typographical dot placed over the lowercase letters "i" and "j" is called a tittle. This term originates from the Latin word "titulus," which referred to a small inscription, label, or heading. Over time, the Latin term evolved in various languages, yielding "tilde" in Spanish and "tittle" in English, which originally referred to any small stroke, accent mark, or point in writing. The dot itself became necessary during the Middle Ages, particularly in Latin manuscripts written in Gothic scripts. In these dense, blocky scripts, the upright stroke of the letter "i" was easily confused with parts of neighboring letters like "u," "m," or "n." Scribes began adding a small slash or dot above the "i" to distinguish it and ensure legibility. Eventually, this practical addition became a standard feature of the letter, preserved through the invention of the printing press and modern typography, while retaining its unique historical name.
Why this is true — The term tittle is defined in standard English dictionaries as the small typographical dot or mark over a lowercase 'i' or 'j'.
Sources
- The Name of the Dot on an 'i' Dictionary.com
- tilde Real Academia Española