Why is the character called an underscore It can't be used to underscore text?

The character is called an underscore because it visually resembles a line drawn beneath text, serving as a separator or a way to indicate missing information in certain contexts. Although it can't literally underscore text in formatting, its name reflects its historical use in typewriting and early computer systems to emphasize or highlight Words by creating a visual distinction. Over time, its functionality evolved, but the name has persisted.