Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

left parenthesis
     
         "(".  {ASCII} character 40.
     
        Common names: left paren; left parenthesis; left; {open};
        paren (")" = thesis); open paren; open parenthesis; left
        parenthesis; left banana.  Rare: so (")" = already); lparen;
        {ITU-T}: opening parenthesis; open round bracket, left round
        bracket, {INTERCAL}: wax (")" = wane); parenthisey (")" =
        unparenthisey); left ear.
     
        Paired with {right parenthesis} (")").
     
        (1995-03-06)