Roaming

/ˈroʊmɪŋ/ verb

Definition

Moving about aimlessly or without a fixed destination; in telecommunications, using a mobile device outside its home network area.

Etymology

From Middle English 'romen,' possibly from Old French 'romier' meaning 'to go on a pilgrimage to Rome,' or related to 'room' in the sense of space. The telecommunications meaning emerged in the 1980s with mobile phone technology.

Kelly Says

The word roaming originally had romantic connotations of pilgrimage and adventure, but now most people associate it with expensive phone bills when traveling abroad. Modern technology has made roaming charges largely obsolete in many regions through international agreements.

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