The entire point of using a symbol is that it conveys meaning and saves space -- you see one picture of a stick figure in a dress and you no longer need the phrase "This is the place where female humans can discharge waste." But what is fascinating is that sometimes the meaning of a symbol will get lost to history, but we'll just keep right on using it anyway.

But would we do that if we knew ...

Note: Did you know that Cracked used to be a magazine? Of course you didn't, none now live who remember that. But it's true -- that goofy little C you see at the top of your tab is a symbol that now means: "you are on the internet, reading comedy jokes, for free." But it used to mean: "you are reading a magazine, and if you don't buy it soon, the guy behind the counter is going to start giving you shit." See? The world's a madhouse! Constantly changing and defying any hope for any of us to understand it! And in this Cracked Classic, it gets even worse! -Cracked