8

This is a question regarding the text message culture (SMS, chat etc). Hope it's not off-topic since well, texting language is still a language.

It sometimes happens that during a conversation someone sends a text message that consists only of one dot – no space, no word, no other punctuation, just one period glyph and that's all.

What's the meaning of such a text message?

Improve this question
7
  • 1
    It's entirely a matter of opinion and context. I often send just a single space as a quirky alternative to a question mark (if I'm waiting for someone to text me, and I just want to "nudge" them into getting on with it).
    – FumbleFingers
    Commented Jan 17, 2016 at 16:30
  • In some contexts sending a single period (or something of that ilk) is used to "keep the line open" and indicate that the person is still there on the other end (perhaps awaiting something from your end).
    – Hot Licks
    Commented Jan 17, 2016 at 20:12
  • On MetaFilter a dot indicates a moment of silence: faq.metafilter.com/#4 This usage has since leaked into other areas, especially the corners of the blogosphere and Twitter that intersect with MeFi's user base. I don't think it (or opportunities for its use) are common enough to be the true answer to the question, though.
    – Jordan
    Commented Jan 17, 2016 at 21:56
  • 2
    Fwiw, I'm a native English speaker, and I would have no clue what this meant. I'd probably assume it was a mistake, and would ask if the person meant to type something but didn't. That said, I'm 32, so maybe I'm just too old to be texting. ;)
    – yshavit
    Commented Jan 18, 2016 at 1:41
  • 2
    This question is not about English, since the semaphore of a single dot in texting is used in many cultures of different languages. It is also opinion based.
    – Arm the good guys in America
    Commented Jan 11, 2017 at 13:22

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
10

In manga dot's are used to express a silent response. This is needed because manga doesn't have time, it has panels. To show time passing without anything being said they put in dots.

If I send you a single dot in an SMS or chat it means, I'm here. I'm reading. I'm not saying anything. Because if I didn't for all you know I'm asleep.

Improve this answer
3
  • But I tend to press "." and "enter" while I'm sleeping, according to my wife. "To show the passing of time" is a brilliant answer to this profound question. I up-voted your answer, of course. :-)
    – Mark Hubbard
    Commented Jan 17, 2016 at 19:50
  • @CandiedOrange Have an upvote.
    – reddit
    Commented Oct 16, 2016 at 5:12
  • @CandiedOrange Found the new guy.
    – reddit
    Commented Oct 16, 2016 at 5:17
4

In Kurt Vonnegut's absurdist/science fiction novel, The Sirens of Titan, the entire purpose of the evolution of the human race was to produce and deliver a small replacement part to a moon-stranded spaceship so it could complete its mission of carrying a message from one side of the universe to the other.

"The message consists of a single dot, which in the Tralfamadorian language means 'greetings.'"

See: http://webdoc.sub.gwdg.de/edoc/ia/eese/artic99/klein2/5_99.html

Also see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sirens_of_Titan

Improve this answer
4
  • . Such people must think we're very friendly when we use our periods.
    – candied_orange
    Commented Jan 17, 2016 at 17:03
  • 1
    @CandiedOrange- And a warm "." to you as well.
    – Mark Hubbard
    Commented Jan 17, 2016 at 18:16
  • 1
    This does not address the question.
    – Arm the good guys in America
    Commented Jan 11, 2017 at 13:24
  • 1
    An answer befitting an incredibly off-the-wall question? :-)
    – Mark Hubbard
    Commented Jan 11, 2017 at 17:40
3

Depending on the context of course, a single . can signify sorrow and commiseration.

Person 1: My cat died today

Person 2: .

Person 3: I'm sorry for your loss.

It can be a simple way of paying respects, or a "moment of silence".

Example and further explanation.

Improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .