The Origin of the Pilcrow, aka the Strange Paragraph Symbol It is now nearly invisible in word-processing programs, but it was one of the most elaborate of manuscript ornaments.

¶ The pilcrow’s name—pithy, familiar, and archaic at the same time—moved with the character during its transformation from C for capitulum to independent symbol in its own right.

In his new book, “Shady Characters: The Secret Life of Punctuation, Symbols & Other Typographical Marks,” Keith Houston reveals the stories behind esoteric punctuation marks, from the pilcrow ...

In terms of fiction, mental illness remains very much en vogue. Physical disability, however, has enjoyed much less attention — presenting, perhaps, greater difficulties for writers themselves.