Why was the ampersand chosen as the symbol for references in C

Question

Does anyone know why the ampersand was selected to represent references in C++?

Stroustroup didn't explain that choice, AFAIK (though I don't have the book nearby), which I find unusual given that the identical sign was previously used for address-of in C.

Answer 1

Along with Earwicker's reply, which I generally concur with.

Additionally, I would posit that it is rather appropriate because & is the "address-of" operator.

Since sending a reference frequently resembles passing an address rather than a value.

Additionally, taking a variable's address is frequently referred to as "referencing."

(Yes, I am aware that references do not necessarily need to be implemented via pointers; I am referring to the way they function theoretically.) But this is just conjecture.