I had a student many moons ago tell me it's so that they distinguish between the variable x and the x used for multiplication. They said they didn't really use a dot for multiplication, but continued to use the x.

Ok but have you seen the Vanity Fair interview? 😂

Oh, you're right, thanks!

Glad we didn't get the only slacker.

Absolutely not. Gives me an adrenaline dump every time.