Telegrams

/ˈtɛləɡræmz/ noun

Definition

Plural of telegram; written messages sent electronically over long distances using telegraph technology, popular before email and texting.

Etymology

From Greek 'tele' (far) and 'graphia' (writing). 'Telegram' was coined in the 1850s when telegraph technology allowed written messages to travel vast distances instantly.

Kelly Says

Telegrams are a fascinating piece of history—sending one was expensive, so people developed a special style of ultra-short messages that influenced modern texting! 'STOP' was used instead of punctuation to save money, affecting how people still write online.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.