Comment by jen20
4 years ago
The GP is only correct in America, and only in formal usage.
In everyday usage in the UK, I’d wager that most refer to () as brackets, [] as square brackets and {} as curly brackets.
4 years ago
The GP is only correct in America, and only in formal usage.
In everyday usage in the UK, I’d wager that most refer to () as brackets, [] as square brackets and {} as curly brackets.
This is not relevant to the actual context of the remark that was written. The mistake being corrected is the misreading of the word "parentheses", believing it to refer to `{` and `}`. Even in the UK, that conclusion is wrong. So the GP you refer to as "only correct in America" is simply "correct", period (full stop).
I never realized this. Does "parenthetical" still have the same meaning?
Yep.
Fun fact: parenthesis / parenthetical can mean 'a word or phrase inserted as an explanation or afterthought into a passage which is grammatically complete without it, in writing usually marked off by brackets, dashes, or commas.' (Merriam-Webster) - so you can have a parenthetical statement without using actual parentheses.
would that count?
In everyday use, by non programmers, they're all just brackets.
Good point - I should have said "everyday use among programmers". I don't imagine people regularly encounter braces or square brackets if not working in code.