Dash Dash The dash is a punctuation mark that is similar in appearance to and , but differs from these symbols in both length and height. The most common versions of the dash are the en dash (–), equal to half the height of the font; the em dash (—), twice as long as the en dash; and the horizontal bar (―), whose length varies across typefaces. Historically, the names of en dash and em dash were loosely related to the width of a lower-case "n" and upper-case "M", respectively, in commonly used typefaces. Usage varies both within English and in
Lesbian rule Lesbian rule A lesbian rule was historically a flexible mason's rule made of lead that could be bent to the curves of a molding, and used to measure or reproduce irregular curves. Lesbian rules were originally constructed of a pliable kind of lead found on the island of Lesbos. The rule is alluded to by Aristotle in his "Nicomachean Ethics" (bk V, ch. 10) as a metaphor for the importance of flexibility in equitable justice: "For what is itself indefinite can only be measured by an indefinite standard, like the leaden rule used by Lesbian builders; just as that rule