Why use an asteriks in Vegan?

Question

I've seen so many questions with someone using veg*n instead of vegan. Whats up with that?

Like these:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArBs2ZcPrEnq0Ze4zyD_K_YjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20080527233431AAPUGSu

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsZfZURftVOqL2oZPP0i8B8jzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20071113111243AAXYBhY

Answer 1

It is a quick way of typing 'vegan and/or vegetarian' - rather than just 'vegan and vegetarian' as most people have said.

Answer 2

It is just a simplified way of saying vegan and vegetarian without having to spell them both out.

Answer 3

We use it when we represent both. vegan and vegetarian = veg*n

Answer 4

...and I learned something today.  =]

Answer 5

Like everyone else said, it's short for vegan and vegetarian. Sometimes you need to address both groups.

Answer 6

because it saves time rather than saying 'vegetarian and vegan', you just put veg*n.

Answer 7

The "*" operator means it fills in for any number of characters or none at all.  It's shorter than saying "vegan and vegetarian".  I usually type "veg*an," but either is correct.

Answer 8

veg*n = vegetarian & vegan

The "*" is substituted both for the "a" in vegan and the "etaria" in vegetarian to include both groups.

::EDIT::

Elyse says, "Wait, if you're vegan aren't you automatically a vegetarian too?? I don't understand those answers, or the reasoning..."

Vegans are vegetarians, but vegetarians are not vegans.  Understand?

P.S.  Thanks for the thumbs down.

Answer 9

It's basically short hand for veg@n and vegetarian!

* represents the a in veg@n and the etaria in vegetarian! Pretty nifty huh!