'Lit' vs. 'lighted.' The mysteries of the dollar sign. Redd up.
29 April 2025

'Lit' vs. 'lighted.' The mysteries of the dollar sign. Redd up.

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

About

1077. Is it “lit” or “lighted”? Both are correct, but we look at how their popularity has switched over time. Then we investigate four of the competing theories about the origin of the dollar sign and end with tips about how to use it.

The "dollar sign" segment was written by Jim Norrena, MFA, who has been writing and editing for more than thirty-five years. He’s the founder and principal editor at TypoSuction.com, an independent editing/writing service. He taught grammar and copyediting intensives and professional proofreading workshops at Media Alliance and served as events coordinator for Bay Area Editors’ Forum (BAEF). You can find him on LinkedIn.

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