Thread: why do they do it!!!

wireless stoped working today

Umm do you mean "radio"??

Regards

Stevo

Originally Posted by stevo68

Umm do you mean "radio"??

Regards

Stevo

I assume he does - the words have had the same meaning for at least ninety years as abbreviations for Wireless Telegraphy (1904) and Radio-telegraphy (1915 US) (or telephony since the early 1920s).

The words were used interchangeably throughout the English speaking world at first, but radio became the dominant word in the US quite early, probably because the word was chosen as part of the name of one of the most successful US companies in the new technology (RCA), but wireless was used more commonly throughout the rest of the English speaking world until radio began to overtake it in the 1950s as a result of the spreading of US culture, largely with films and TV programmes. However, most people outside the US who learned to speak English before the end of the 20th century would be familiar with both words.

John

Doesn't look to 'wireless' to me

GQ

Twitched up? Wots rong wth that? Was tht wch cawsed the wirelss to stp wrking?

Originally Posted by JDNSW

I assume he does - the words have had the same meaning for at least ninety years as abbreviations for Wireless Telegraphy (1904) and Radio-telegraphy (1915 US) (or telephony since the early 1920s).

The words were used interchangeably throughout the English speaking world at first, but radio became the dominant word in the US quite early, probably because the word was chosen as part of the name of one of the most successful US companies in the new technology (RCA), but wireless was used more commonly throughout the rest of the English speaking world until radio began to overtake it in the 1950s as a result of the spreading of US culture, largely with films and TV programmes. However, most people outside the US who learned to speak English before the end of the 20th century would be familiar with both words.

John

However, those of us that live in the 21st century would think of an internet/computer application of the phrase rather than a radio application

Originally Posted by JDNSW

I assume he does - the words have had the same meaning for at least ninety years as abbreviations for Wireless Telegraphy (1904) and Radio-telegraphy (1915 US) (or telephony since the early 1920s).

The words were used interchangeably throughout the English speaking world at first, but radio became the dominant word in the US quite early, probably because the word was chosen as part of the name of one of the most successful US companies in the new technology (RCA), but wireless was used more commonly throughout the rest of the English speaking world until radio began to overtake it in the 1950s as a result of the spreading of US culture, largely with films and TV programmes. However, most people outside the US who learned to speak English before the end of the 20th century would be familiar with both words.

John

Reminds me, bit off topic. In the 70's when I was in Army Movements, we used to ring the Railway Stations to book space for passengers, and or, cargo. The old codgers on the other end often said, "No worries mate, just send me a wire".

What he meant was "Telex" used back in those days, however I could just imagine him tapping on the old Railway morse code line

Originally Posted by jimbo110

However, those of us that live in the 21st century would think of an internet/computer application of the phrase rather than a radio application

No, not quite - only those who are from the relatively small proportion of the population who are knowledgeable about up to date computer technology, but ignorant of recent history. (mind you, the largest proportion of the population is ignorant of both, even if they do live in the 21st century!)

John

However, those of us that live in the 21st century would think of an internet/computer application of the phrase rather than a radio application

Im with you Jimbo, I was thinking "wireless connection". Im pretty sure I have heard the term "wireless" in one of those old black and white movies, pretty sure the movies came on some big reel thingamajig

Regards

Stevo