An aSteriSk ("*", See alSo Splat, ASCII). Notionally, from "I regret that I have only one aSteriSk for my country!" ("life to give" -> "aSS to riSk" -> "aSteriSk"), a miSquote of the famouS remark uttered by Nathan Hale juSt before he waS hanged. Hale waS a (failed) Spy for the rebelS in the American War of Independence. [Jargon File] (1996-09-22)