Somewhere deep in the threads I encountered a rather laborious discussion pointing out the rather poor definitions found in the expected reference sources as to the definition of the word "radio".
Although the extant definitions seem to have lost touch with the simple and obvious derivation of the word, I am happy to bring it back at this time:
The term "radio" is derived from the contraction of the words "radiate" "audio".
By such definition we are left with the embarrasment that forms of wireless tranmission that do not include audio are not literal forms of radio.
Back in the golden age, radio was defined by Milton Berle (I believe) as Theater of the Mind. TV was defined as Theater of the Mindless.
Interesting! I guess all the radio waves out there aren't actually radio when you consider the original definition. Even CW (morse code) would technically not be radio.
Somewhere deep in the threads I encountered a rather laborious discussion pointing out the rather poor definitions found in the expected reference sources as to the definition of the word "radio".
This raises an issue about dictionaries that has bothered me for a long time. In the old days when I occasionally actually went to the local library, I remember the huge dictionary (Oxford or Webster?) that sat on a podium in the center of the first floor. It was about a foot thick as I remember. That podium was like an alter where rested the sacred history of the English language. There was never any question about authenticity or accuracy.
The old, respected dictionaries were likely very accurate. At least they were stable.
Now, most people get their definitions from Wikipedia or Wiktionary, or worse yet, some blog that shows up in Google.
The old, respected dictionaries now cost big bucks, but the Wiki dictionaries are free and instantly accessible. The Wikis have the latest street-talk words, but how much of the sacred basis of the language is being lost in the wiki free-for-all?
BTW, my free searches seem to indicate the etymology of the word "radio" is simply the Latin word "radius". The first usage was as a prefix in the word "radioconductor". It was used a a prefix in "radio-telegraphy" apparently before the advent of audio radio when AM modulation was invented by Fessenden.
But, don't believe what I say. I would love to see the Oxford English Dictionary definition of "radio". Not going to happen. That would require a trip to the library or a subscription to the on line version.
My definition of "radio" as "radiate-audio" does not come from any source but my own mind, which sits on an over-sized pedastel that walks around.
PhilB is absolutely right to lament the passage of the great dictionaries.
I have a stack of recently published paper-book dictionaries, and, like the online sources, these are NOT of the great quality once expected from past editions. Many words are skipped, which is why I ended up with so many diffent dictionaries.
The best dictionary I ever knew was a Random-House Dictionary, which an ex-girlfriend converted into a gift for herself.