18

I've just returned from a holiday in Iceland (I can heartily recommend it, BTW). I took a break from Stack Exchange as well, but I guess one can never stop being a moderator... I couldn't help but notice the Apple Command key symbol, the logo of our sister site Ask Different

being used on a couple of road signs, e.g. this one near the Háifoss waterfall:

enter image description here

The Ask Different logo is derived from the Command key – we can't use an Apple-like logo since we're "not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc. in any way." (see our footer).

Sometimes, a modified version with a caret ('roof') is used:

enter image description here

I thought I found the answer on an information board just inside Hveragerði which says it's for Hot Spring Areas:

enter image description here

but that doesn't make sense; the Háifoss is 'just' a waterfall and the Ráðhús is a town hall.

Bonus question: is this something Iceland specific or is it used in other countries as well?

|improve this question
29

I found the definitive answer when I was typing this question; while inserting the ⌘ in the question's title and hovering over it, the dialog showed me it's a Place of Interest Sign:

enter image description here

According to Wikipedia, it's called a Looped Square and it's mainly used for this specific purpose in the Scandinavian countries:

It is also known as the place of interest sign when used on information signs, a practice which started in Finland in the 1950s, spreading to the other Nordic countries in the 1960s.

To my defense, before Iceland I've only been to Helsinki as a tourist. (But maybe I should've checked the Wikipedia page about the Command Key first.)

|improve this answer
  • 10
    If you're wondering why Apple chose this symbol for the Command key, Andy Hertzfeld tells the tale: Swedish Campground (there's more information in the comments below) – Zach Lipton Aug 30 '18 at 7:44
  • 12
    So in fact, the good question to ask is "Why is the Swedish roadsign looped square symbol found on Apple keyboards?" :) – Jim MacKenzie Aug 30 '18 at 13:06
  • @ZachLipton My favourite comment in the page you linked: "My coworkers have referred to this key as the quadcopter key." – Mike Harris Aug 30 '18 at 14:45

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.