telegram etymology

Etymology:

The word "telegram" is derived from the Greek words:

  • tele (τῆλε), meaning "far" or "distant"
  • gramma (γρᾰ͂μμα), meaning "letter" or "writing"

Meaning:

A telegram is a written message sent over a telegraph, an electrical communication system that transmits signals over long distances. Telegrams were typically brief and urgent, and were used for communication when speed was of the essence.

Origin:

The concept of transmitting messages over long distances using electrical signals originated with the development of the telegraph in the early 1800s. In 1837, Samuel Morse invented the first practical telegraph system, which used a series of electrical pulses to represent letters and numbers.

The first telegram was sent in 1844 from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore, Maryland, by Morse himself. It read: "What hath God wrought!"

Telegrams quickly became a popular and widely used form of communication, particularly for businesses and governments. They were used to transmit news, orders, and military dispatches.

The use of telegrams declined in the 20th century with the advent of more advanced communication technologies, such as the telephone and the internet. However, they remain in use today in certain limited applications, such as diplomatic communication and emergency notifications.

telegram relate terms

  • telegraph

    Etymology From the Greek tēle far and graphein to write Literally means to wr

  • tele

    Etymology The word tele originates from the Greek word tēle which means far dis

  • telegram

    Etymology The word telegram is derived from the Greek words tele τῆλε meani

  • telegram

    Etymology The word telegram is derived from the Greek words tele τῆλε meani

  • wire

    Etymology Old English wīre Proto Germanic wīrą Proto Indo European weyro to t

  • dateline

    Etymology The term dateline is a compound word consisting of Date Referring to th

  • photograph

    Etymology The word photograph is derived from the Greek words Phōs φῶς Ligh

  • stop

    Etymology The word stop comes from the Middle English word stoppen which itself deri

  • skedaddle

    Etymology The term skedaddle is believed to be of unknown origin although there are

  • message

    Etymology Message comes from the Middle French message which itself comes from the Old

  • cable

    Etymology The word cable derives from the Latin word capulum which means halter

  • telegraph

    Etymology From the Greek tēle far and graphein to write Literally means to wr

  • nervous

    Etymology The word nervous comes from the Latin word nervus meaning sinew or ner

  • sanction

    Etymology The word sanction comes from the Latin word sancire which means to make s