An old symbol many of us may have drawn - - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Pogue Mahone · 07-23-2009, 10:57 AM

I saw this on another forum and got me thinking.

Back in middle school, all my friends and I were seemingly obsessed about drawing this symbol:

and I realized something - to my knowledge, we had no idea what the hell it meant. All we knew is it was cool. Does anyone know what it is?

ShaniFaye · 07-23-2009, 11:07 AM

I always drew it as an S for my name (Shannon)...if it had another meaning I have no clue...but I would write my whole name in letters like that

Willravel · 07-23-2009, 11:23 AM

I believe the genesis of that particular symbol is in the t-shirt company Stussy, which was incredibly popular in the 90s (along with Mossimo). While the normal Stussy logo looked like this:

The graffiti resurgence meant that "urban" clothing producers were trying to capitalize on different styles commonly associated with graffiti. One such common style was the "S" that appears like you've drawn it. I remember being in maybe 3rd or 4th grade when I saw that "S" on a Stussy shirt.

Daniel_ · 07-23-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogue Mahone

I saw this on another forum and got me thinking.

Back in middle school, all my friends and I were seemingly obsessed about drawing this symbol:

and I realized something - to my knowledge, we had no idea what the hell it meant. All we knew is it was cool. Does anyone know what it is?

Oddly enough, my daughter (9) was being shown how to draw this by the daughter of her minder (13) a couple of weeks ago. I asked why and neither of them knew.

lostgirl · 07-23-2009, 11:33 AM

I used to see that on both sides of SK8, since it looks like a S and an 8. Not sure why, or what it means. SK8 of course is Skate.

Manic_Skafe · 07-23-2009, 11:58 AM

Haha - I drew that too! I think the fascination stemmed from the fact that the symbol was relatively is easy to draw and emerges so quickly after the first six lines are put down.

No idea what it could mean, if it means anything at all.

biznatch · 07-23-2009, 12:55 PM

Same here, drew it back in middle school. I think maybe it's just because many think graffiti is cool at that age, and that letter is easy to do.

roachboy · 07-23-2009, 01:04 PM

my pal the oxford english dictionary offers the following as symbolic meanings attached the the letter S:

Quote:

II. Symbolic uses.

5. s or S (Physics and Chem.) = sharp: orig. used to designate one of the four main series of lines in atomic spectra, but now more frequently applied to electronic orbitals, states, etc., possessing zero angular momentum and total symmetry.

6. [Initial letter of secondary.] Used, chiefly in S wave, to denote an earthquake wave which oscillates transversely to the direction of propagation, a shear wave; so named because secondary waves arrive at a given place later than primary waves. (See also P III. 3.)

7. In Physics, s and S denote the quantum numbers of spin angular momentum of one electron and a group of electrons, respectively. [Introduced by F. Hund 1926, in Zeitschr. f. Physik XXXVI. 658.]

8. S is used to denote one of the two directions of twist (see quot. 1935); so S-spun, etc.

9. [Initial letter of slow.] s-process (Astr.): a process thought to occur in giant stars by which heavy atomic nuclei are produced from other nuclei over a long time scale by a combination of neutron captures and more rapid beta decays.

10. S meter: a meter on a radio that indicates the strength of a received signal.

11. S-matrix (Physics): a scattering matrix, i.e. a matrix of probability amplitudes that occurs in the expression of the initial wave functions in a scattering process in terms of all the possible final wave functions. [After G. matrix S (W. Heisenberg 1943, in Zeitschr. f. Physik CXX. 521).]

12. S-band: the range of microwave frequencies between 1550 and 5200 megahertz, used for radio communication and radar.

13. Chem. [Abbrev. of L. sinister left.] S is used to designate (compounds having) a configuration about an asymmetric carbon atom in which the substituents, placed in order according to certain rules, form an anticlockwise sequence when viewed from a particular direction. Opp. R III. 6.

14. S denotes the strangeness quantum number of sub-atomic particles.

15. Particle Physics. [Repr. strange; also understood as = singlet or sideways.
‘The letters u and d stood for “up” and “down” (that is to say, isotopic spin projection up and down) and s stood for “strange”, with “singlet” (isotopic spin singlet) as a supplementary meaning. “Sideways” was a joke that I used from time to time.’{em}M. Gell-Mann, let. to R.W.B.]
s is used to designate one of the three quarks originally postulated by Gell-Mann, viz. the ‘strange’ quark, which has zero isospin and charge -.

wooÐs · 07-23-2009, 01:12 PM

Reminds me of this.

Fremen · 07-23-2009, 01:22 PM

It's almost like Infinity.
Trace your way in the middle then back behind to the front again.

allaboutmusic · 07-23-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willravel

I believe the genesis of that particular symbol is in the t-shirt company Stussy, which was incredibly popular in the 90s (along with Mossimo). While the normal Stussy logo looked like this:

The graffiti resurgence meant that "urban" clothing producers were trying to capitalize on different styles commonly associated with graffiti. One such common style was the "S" that appears like you've drawn it. I remember being in maybe 3rd or 4th grade when I saw that "S" on a Stussy shirt.

I remember a random rumour at the time that the Stussy logo spelt out Satanism if you looked carefully. Ah well, we were young.

LoganSnake · 07-23-2009, 03:08 PM

I drew that too. In around 7th or 8th grades. Interesting.

ShaniFaye · 07-23-2009, 03:31 PM

lets see...I was in middle school in 1979-80, 1980-81 and 1981-82 so its at LEAST 30 years old...any one in middle school before that, that remembers it from those days?

Jinn · 07-23-2009, 03:38 PM

Definitely did it in middle school, but only because it was cool to drawn 6 vertical lines, combine them with some diagonals and have a cool letter...

Charlatan · 07-23-2009, 03:59 PM

Never spent time doodling that. Must be an American thing.

Zeraph · 07-23-2009, 04:06 PM

I did that too in the 90s. Even made people out of em...

Redjake · 07-23-2009, 04:47 PM

man you were AWESOME if you could draw those things.

Bear Cub · 07-23-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redjake

man you were AWESOME if you could draw those things.

Lets get one thing straight.

Some of us still are.

Seaver · 07-23-2009, 05:03 PM

Where I lived it was a Gangster Territory symbol, Southside.

Xerxys · 07-23-2009, 05:24 PM

Huh, I don't think it means anything because I grew up on the other side of the world and it was taught to us like some sort of puzzle coming together. You know, like how they asked you to draw the |X| sighn without lifting the pen or redrawing a line.

SecretMethod70 · 07-23-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan

Never spent time doodling that. Must be an American thing.

I dunno, I'm American and I never drew it. I also never saw it drawn except by people whose name began with S.

cyklone · 07-23-2009, 05:59 PM

perhaps it's a stylized version of a mobius strip (although it doesn't show the twist well)??

Psycho Dad · 07-23-2009, 07:48 PM

I don't know what it is, have never seen it doodled, but I'll agree with whoever said it was satanic.

Reese · 07-23-2009, 07:54 PM

I thought it was the dollar sign as used by Wheel of Fortune...

Nevermind I was thinking about The Price is Right but that's a different logo..

although, I have also seen that drawing with the top and bottom diagonal lines looped at the points.

Walt · 07-23-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willravel

I believe the genesis of that particular symbol is in the t-shirt company Stussy, which was incredibly popular in the 90s...

Yep, I had a Stussy t-shirt when I was in 6th grade with that symbol on it.

Plan9 · 07-23-2009, 08:41 PM

I always thought it was some kinda goofy infinity sign.

Willravel · 07-23-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walter Sobchak

Yep, I had a Stussy t-shirt when I was in 6th grade with that symbol on it.

6th grade? That was back when I was part of the Seattle Seven. Me and six other guys.

DaniGirl · 07-23-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogue Mahone

and I realized something - to my knowledge, we had no idea what the hell it meant. All we knew is it was cool. Does anyone know what it is?

Really good question, I have no idea.

Toaster126 · 07-24-2009, 03:32 PM

I guessed the symbol by the thread title, but I'm surprised there are so many of us that remember this from elementary/middle school. Oh what little consumers we were.

SSJTWIZTA · 07-24-2009, 09:56 PM

haha i too used to draw this thing. still, no idea what it means.

ItWasMe · 07-24-2009, 10:18 PM

It looks vaguely familiar, but I don't know from where. My daughter said everyone drew it in elementary school, which would be very late 90's and early 2000's.

We used to doodle letters and numbers that were rounded like balloons. Not like this.

Pookie003 · 07-25-2009, 06:44 AM

Haha, when I was first taught how to draw the S in 3rd grade or so I thought it was so cool I would draw all my S's like that. One day this really mean girl in my class told me that it was a gang sign and when I didn't believe her she told the teacher and I got in trouble. The teacher didn't understand it so I go a time-out. Lame.

Daniel_ · 07-25-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItWasMe

It looks vaguely familiar, but I don't know from where. My daughter said everyone drew it in elementary school, which would be very late 90's and early 2000's.

We used to doodle letters and numbers that were rounded like balloons. Not like this.

Me too! Must be a 70's thing.

Redjake · 07-25-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear Cub

Lets get one thing straight.

Some of us still are.

hahahaha touche!!!!!!!!

07-23-2009, 10:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pogue Mahone Crazy Location: Denver, Colorado	An old symbol many of us may have drawn - I saw this on another forum and got me thinking. Back in middle school, all my friends and I were seemingly obsessed about drawing this symbol: and I realized something - to my knowledge, we had no idea what the hell it meant. All we knew is it was cool. Does anyone know what it is? __________________ I still wave at the dots on the shore And I still beat my head against the door I still rage and wage my little war I'm a shade and easy to ignore

07-23-2009, 11:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	I always drew it as an S for my name (Shannon)...if it had another meaning I have no clue...but I would write my whole name in letters like that __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

07-23-2009, 11:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
lostgirl lightform Location: Edge of the deep green sea	I used to see that on both sides of SK8, since it looks like a S and an 8. Not sure why, or what it means. SK8 of course is Skate. __________________ We're about to go through the crucible, but we'll come out the other side. We always arise from our own ashes. Everything returns later in its changed form. - Children of Dune

07-23-2009, 11:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
Manic_Skafe More Than You Expect Location: Queens	Haha - I drew that too! I think the fascination stemmed from the fact that the symbol was relatively is easy to draw and emerges so quickly after the first six lines are put down. No idea what it could mean, if it means anything at all. __________________ "Porn is a zoo of exotic animals that becomes boring upon ownership." -Nersesian

07-23-2009, 12:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
biznatch Junkie Location: France	Same here, drew it back in middle school. I think maybe it's just because many think graffiti is cool at that age, and that letter is easy to do. __________________ Check it out: The Open Source/Freeware/Gratis Software Thread

07-23-2009, 11:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	I believe the genesis of that particular symbol is in the t-shirt company Stussy, which was incredibly popular in the 90s (along with Mossimo). While the normal Stussy logo looked like this: The graffiti resurgence meant that "urban" clothing producers were trying to capitalize on different styles commonly associated with graffiti. One such common style was the "S" that appears like you've drawn it. I remember being in maybe 3rd or 4th grade when I saw that "S" on a Stussy shirt.

07-23-2009, 01:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
wooÐs Sitting in a tree Location: Atlanta	Reminds me of this.

07-23-2009, 01:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	It's almost like Infinity. Trace your way in the middle then back behind to the front again. __________________ Google

07-23-2009, 03:08 PM	#12 (permalink)
LoganSnake We work alone Location: Cake Town	I drew that too. In around 7th or 8th grades. Interesting. __________________ Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing that you'll be an idiot in the future. Common sense is knowing that you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

07-23-2009, 03:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	lets see...I was in middle school in 1979-80, 1980-81 and 1981-82 so its at LEAST 30 years old...any one in middle school before that, that remembers it from those days? __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

07-23-2009, 03:38 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	Definitely did it in middle school, but only because it was cool to drawn 6 vertical lines, combine them with some diagonals and have a cool letter... __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

07-23-2009, 03:59 PM	#15 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Never spent time doodling that. Must be an American thing. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

07-23-2009, 04:06 PM	#16 (permalink)
Zeraph Banned Location: The Cosmos	I did that too in the 90s. Even made people out of em...

07-23-2009, 04:47 PM	#17 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	man you were AWESOME if you could draw those things. __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

07-23-2009, 05:03 PM	#19 (permalink)
Seaver Junkie Location: Fort Worth, TX	Where I lived it was a Gangster Territory symbol, Southside. __________________ "Smite the rocks with the rod of knowledge, and fountains of unstinted wealth will gush forth." - Ashbel Smith as he laid the first cornerstone of the University of Texas

07-23-2009, 05:24 PM	#20 (permalink)
Xerxys Junkie Location: My head.	Huh, I don't think it means anything because I grew up on the other side of the world and it was taught to us like some sort of puzzle coming together. You know, like how they asked you to draw the \|X\| sighn without lifting the pen or redrawing a line.

07-23-2009, 05:59 PM	#22 (permalink)
cyklone Crazy Location: Adelaide, South Australia	perhaps it's a stylized version of a mobius strip (although it doesn't show the twist well)??

07-23-2009, 07:48 PM	#23 (permalink)
Psycho Dad Mulletproof Location: Some nucking fut house.	I don't know what it is, have never seen it doodled, but I'll agree with whoever said it was satanic. __________________ Don't always trust the opinions of experts.

07-23-2009, 07:54 PM	#24 (permalink)
Reese Delicious	I thought it was the dollar sign as used by Wheel of Fortune... Nevermind I was thinking about The Price is Right but that's a different logo.. although, I have also seen that drawing with the top and bottom diagonal lines looped at the points. __________________ “It is better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick” - Dave Barry Last edited by Reese; 07-23-2009 at 07:58 PM..

07-23-2009, 08:41 PM	#26 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	I always thought it was some kinda goofy infinity sign. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."

07-24-2009, 03:32 PM	#29 (permalink)
Toaster126 Extreme moderation Location: Kansas City, yo.	I guessed the symbol by the thread title, but I'm surprised there are so many of us that remember this from elementary/middle school. Oh what little consumers we were. __________________ "The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me." (Ayn Rand) "The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." (M. Scott Peck)

07-24-2009, 09:56 PM	#30 (permalink)
SSJTWIZTA Master Thief. Master Criminal. Masturbator. Location: Windiwana	haha i too used to draw this thing. still, no idea what it means. __________________ First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for me And there was no one left to speak out for me. -Pastor Martin Niemoller

07-24-2009, 10:18 PM	#31 (permalink)
ItWasMe But You'll Never Prove It. Location: under your bed	It looks vaguely familiar, but I don't know from where. My daughter said everyone drew it in elementary school, which would be very late 90's and early 2000's. We used to doodle letters and numbers that were rounded like balloons. Not like this. __________________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Ok, no more truth-or-dare until somebody returns my underwear" ~ George Lopez I bake cookies just so I can lick the bowl. ~ ItWasMe

07-25-2009, 06:44 AM	#32 (permalink)
Pookie003 Upright	Haha, when I was first taught how to draw the S in 3rd grade or so I thought it was so cool I would draw all my S's like that. One day this really mean girl in my class told me that it was a gang sign and when I didn't believe her she told the teacher and I got in trouble. The teacher didn't understand it so I go a time-out. Lame.