This column is dedicated to all of you who have a burning desire to learn the meanings behind some of today’s popular phrases. Most of these deal with changing technology and have roots to features of original devices, like turning the channel. Yes, we used to turn a knob that would take us to different channels on our TVs. In the early days of television, there were only a handful of channels to choose from — and no remote controls. Even so, those plastic knobs wore out from channel-turning, and many families — including ours — resorted to using pliers.
Dialing a phone number. In today’s touch-screen world, the idea of turning a rotary dial seems foreign. When phone numbers were assigned by the telephone companies, this became a necessity. Some of you, like me, can still recall the sound of the rotary dial returning to its original position.
Hanging up the phone. We sometimes forget that phones were once in two pieces and connected by a very curly and surly cord. When a phone call was completed, the user would physically “hang up” the receiver on the wall unit.
Rewinding a movie. Most anyone who rented a VHS tape knows the phrase “be kind, rewind,” and anyone who popped in a movie only to find it at the end knows the frustration of dealing with someone who didn’t. This may seem silly in today’s streaming world, but we still find ourselves asking to “rewind” a scene.
Cranking up an engine. In the days before my time, electric starters didn’t exist on cars, so someone had to turn a crank to get the crankshaft to turn so combustion could begin. And, today, we get annoyed when we have to physically open a garage door?
Rolling down the window. Power windows used to be a feature only found in the fancy cars. Today, it can be a challenge to find any vehicle with manual cranks. Meanwhile, we still ask passengers to “roll down the window,” and often for good reason.
Turning it up or down “a notch.” Not too many years ago, electronic devices had volume knobs with notches that would actually “click” when turning up or down. In a nod to those Freedom Rock hippies many of us can’t forget, “Well, turn it up, man.”
Hitting the hay. In the late 1800s, beds were made of hay, and a person had to physically “hit the hay” to get the bugs out before going to sleep. And you thought your mattress was lumpy?
What ones did I miss? Send me a note and “tune in” for the replies in Friday’s mailbag.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305