Shorthand

Shorthand is a way of writing very quickly using special symbols and abbreviations. Instead of spelling out every word, shorthand writers use quick strokes and marks. Shorthand was used for hundreds of years by secretaries, reporters, and court writers. It let them write almost as fast as people could speak.

How Shorthand Works

Shorthand replaces regular letters and words with simple symbols. A single curve or line might stand for a whole word or common phrase. Different systems use different symbols. Some of the most famous systems were created by Isaac Pitman and John Robert Gregg.

Shorthand in History

Ancient Romans used an early form of shorthand to record speeches. In the 1800s and 1900s, shorthand was an essential business skill. Secretaries used it to take notes during meetings. Court reporters used it to record everything said in trials. Today, computers have largely replaced shorthand, but some people still use it.

Fun Facts

• A skilled shorthand writer can write over 200 words per minute.
• Charles Dickens learned shorthand as a young man and used it when he worked as a reporter.
• There are hundreds of different shorthand systems from around the world.

Did You Know?

The ancient Roman politician Cicero's speeches were recorded by his servant Tiro, who invented one of the first shorthand systems over 2,000 years ago.