what is the dot called above the i and j?

Answer 1

it is called a 'jot'
a 'tittle' is the line that crosses a t or f

Answer 2

The small distinguishing mark you see over a lowercase i and a lowercase j is called a tittle – an interesting name that seems like a combination of “tiny” and “little,” and refers to a small point or stroke in writing and printing. Derived from the Latin word titulus, meaning “inscription, heading,” the tittle initially appeared in Latin manuscripts beginning in the 11th century as a way of individualizing the neighboring letters i and j. With the introduction of the Roman-style typeface in the late 1400's, the original large mark was reduced to the small dot we use today.

Answer 3

Is there a term for that? I thought you could only say a dot above them. Anyway, I guess I should wait for the others to answer.

Answer 4

It has at least TWO names

1) This is what folks at the Oxford English Dictionary recommend "superscript dot"
http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutsymbols/dot?view=uk

2) As others have noted, this is ONE use of the word "tittle"

This word actually can refer to ANY kind of small "diacritical" mark, including an accent and a mark that helps distinguish one letter from another
http://www.answers.com/topic/tittle

(English Bible translators from Wycliffe's to the King James Version used this word in Matthew 5:18 for a Greek word referring to small pen strokes that differentiated very similar HEBREW letters. It is found in the pair "jot and tittle". For what it's worth , "jot" is English for the Greek word "iota", which may refer to the Greek equivalent of the letter i OR, perhaps more likely, to the related Hebrew letter "yod", which is the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Jesus' point in this passage could be expressed as "the smallest letter or the least stroke of a pen." )

http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=20000223

"Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

BONUS: the expression "to a T" (as in "it suits him to a T") is a variation of the 17th century expression "to a tittle" (probably based on the Bible verse), meaning "to the smallest detail".

Answer 5

It's called a "dot." That's why you are told to "dot your i's"

Answer 6

iota??? I not sure though.
Also, try "Tittle".

I want to add. As I was looking and found Tittle. Feisty below gave the answer. So, in my opinion. She has the Best answer. I just supporting it.

Answer 7

a dot...don't think it has any other name, but good question, now I want to know if it has a name too.

Answer 8

Yeap it has a name and its a cute one too...its called a 'tittle'. And now I know you are all rushing to look up 'tittle' to see if Im pulling your leg or not..lol

Answer 9

It's rather titillating, its a tittle!