ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Dagger (typography)

A dagger is like a special type of symbol that you might see in writing. It looks kind of like a tiny sword, but don’t worry it won’t hurt you. It’s just a way for people to show that something is important or needs extra attention.

People use the dagger in writing to show that a footnote (which is like a little extra explanation or piece of information) goes with a certain word or sentence in a piece of writing. This helps people understand the text better and learn more about what they’re reading.

If you ever see a dagger in a book or article, it’s a good idea to look for the footnote that goes with it so you can learn more about what the author is talking about. And remember, it’s just a symbol, so there’s no need to be afraid of it!
Related topics others have asked about: