What is the Pointy Part of a Speech Bubble Called?

Question

Given a speech bubble, what is the pointy part from which indicates the origin of the spoken word?

I'm assuming this is the same term for thought bubbles? If not what's the term for the origin of thought bubbles?

jimm101 · Accepted Answer · 2017-03-20 16:07:21Z

14

According to wikipedia, it's a tail:

... uses a bubble with a pointer, called a tail, directed towards the speaker.

I can't find a definitive source, and Wikiepdia doesn't provide one. But it's used in the sites like this and elsewhere.

A common speech bubble is usually made up of a oval shape, with a tail at the bottom, indicating which person is the speaker.

There doesn't appear to be a distinction among the different versions of speech bubbles, so for a thought bubble, tail is still appropriate.

answered Mar 20 '17 at 13:22

jimm101

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Also, Microsoft platforms use the term Callout for the whole shape. – Yosef Baskin Mar 20 '17 at 16:21
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Plenty of usage on this page if you want to add a citation: blog.animaker.com/speech-bubbles-meaning-in-animated-videos – Phil M Jones Jul 4 '18 at 11:04

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Luckieee · Accepted Answer · 2018-07-04 10:46:44Z

0

it's Notch. Well pronounced as speak bubble notch.

answered Jul 4 '18 at 10:46

Luckieee

1

Welcome! Do you have a reference for that? A dictionary entry, perhaps, or do you know it by personal experience? – gmauch Jul 4 '18 at 11:24
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I wouldn't mind giving an upvote or even accepting if you could provide a source. As it stands I've gotten used to calling it a tail. – Jonathan Mee Jul 9 '18 at 1:29

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2 Answers 2