Speculation: it comes from the symbol of (electric) changeover switches: the user can choose whether current goes up or down. Source: http://www.quora.com/Comp

Speculation: it comes from the symbol of (electric) changeover switches: the user can choose whether current goes up or down. Source: http://www.quora.com/Computer-Keyboards/What-is-the-origin-of-the-Macs-option-key-symbol-%E2%8C%A5 http://www.quora.com/Computer-Keyboards/What-is-the-origin-o...