What is ampersand meaning?

The ampersand symbol '&' is a stylized representation of the Latin word 'et,' which means 'and.' It is believed to have originated during the first century AD as a shorthand symbol for 'et' in Roman cursive writing. The name 'ampersand' comes from the phrase 'and per se and,' which was used to describe the symbol when it was included in the alphabet. Over time, the symbol became more widely used in English and other languages as a shortcut for 'and' in typography and design. Today, it is commonly used in logos, titles, and brand names as a distinctive and visually appealing alternative to the word 'and.'