> What is 'a wildcard', please?
>
> Do you mean the * ?
 
In a lot of cases, yes, it is the asterisk  (  *  ).  It generally can
stand for just about anything and everything, which is why you have to
be careful with it.  It is recognized by every operating system I have
ever had anything to do with (but that's only 4 - 5, so no guarantees),
as *the* wildcard.  There are other wildcards that aren't as "wild."
 
I assume it is derived from card games, like poker, where you have a
card which can be equivalent to any other card, the joker or wild card.
 
Speaking of which, poker anyone?  Table stakes, one joker (aces, straights
and flushes), pot limit, straight draw (guts), five or seven card stud,
dealer's choice.  Haven't had a good game of poker in probably 20 years.
Ah, well.  No, I am not soliciting nor promoting gambling, just talking
about it as it relates to computer jargon (defensive, yes: big brother may
be snooping).  And of course whether poker is/isn't gambling is open to
question, isn't it?  ;-)
 
Douglas