Life Microphone versus Macrophone: Let's Clarify.

**Rain Man** · 10-04-2010, 07:21 PM

I was thinking about microphones today, and I think they have the wrong name. Let's break down the word, using definitions from the Merriam-Webster (online) dictionary:

"Phone" - : sound —often in names of musical instruments and sound-transmitting devices

"Micro" - very small

So "microphone" translates to "very small sound".

According to this site: http://inventors.about.com/od/wstart...Wheatstone.htm, Sir Charles Wheaton invented the term "microphone" in 1827.

My thinking is that the object we currently call a microphone should actually be called a macrophone. This isn't to fault Sir Charles because the term "macro-" apparently didn't come into being until 1923.

Let's define "macro", again according to Merriam-Webster:

"Macro" - of, involving, or intended for use with relatively large quantities or on a large scale

So...

"Macrophone" = large quantity of sound.

"Microphone" = very small sound

It's pretty obvious to me that we need to start making this transition.

-King- · 10-04-2010, 07:22 PM

The large sound doesn't come out of the microphone...

**Buck** · 10-04-2010, 07:24 PM

Its not about the sound at all, the Microphone doesn't even produce the sound. Its about the actual item in your hand.

I'm guessing that whatever they used to pick up sound waves and transmit it to some kind of speaker or phonograph or something a long time ago was rather large.

**Rain Man** · 10-04-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcChiefsKing

The large sound doesn't come out of the microphone...

It comes out of the macrofier, but the truth is that the macrophone is part of the macrofication system.

yeti · 10-04-2010, 07:26 PM

No macro before 1923!

Slayer Diablo · 10-04-2010, 07:36 PM

I think it's more of a microphone because the device goes from large to small as to funnel the sound so it can be transmitted and either recorded or amplified.

With that said...
While a lot of words used for ambiguous concepts are sacred, this one's not. I'll let it change if people want to change it.

Crush · 10-04-2010, 07:39 PM

I will only call it a macrophone, if everyone else does it. I do not want to look and sound stupid when I refer my friends to my fancy new macrophone.

teedubya · 10-04-2010, 07:54 PM

Macros aren't getting enough carries.

JoeyChuckles · 10-04-2010, 08:21 PM

While we are at it, let's rename microwaves, micro-machines,and microbursts.

**Bob Dole** · 10-04-2010, 08:27 PM

While we're at it, let's make sure that Herm=suck.

headsnap · 10-04-2010, 08:29 PM

Micro and Mega...

View Poll Results: Microphone vs. Macrophone: What will you do?
The thread is right, and I will henceforth call it a macrophone.	2	25.00%
The thread is right, but I won't change until most other people do.	2	25.00%
The thread is wrong, but I'll change if everyone else does.	1	12.50%
The thread is wrong, and I will never change. Words are sacred.	2	25.00%
I've never used the word "microphone" or "macrophone" in a sentence.	1	12.50%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll

10-04-2010, 07:21 PM
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-672449 VARSITY	Microphone versus Macrophone: Let's Clarify. I was thinking about microphones today, and I think they have the wrong name. Let's break down the word, using definitions from the Merriam-Webster (online) dictionary: "Phone" - : sound —often in names of musical instruments and sound-transmitting devices "Micro" - very small So "microphone" translates to "very small sound". According to this site: http://inventors.about.com/od/wstart...Wheatstone.htm, Sir Charles Wheaton invented the term "microphone" in 1827. My thinking is that the object we currently call a microphone should actually be called a macrophone. This isn't to fault Sir Charles because the term "macro-" apparently didn't come into being until 1923. Let's define "macro", again according to Merriam-Webster: "Macro" - of, involving, or intended for use with relatively large quantities or on a large scale So... "Macrophone" = large quantity of sound. "Microphone" = very small sound It's pretty obvious to me that we need to start making this transition.
Posts: 145,503

10-04-2010, 07:22 PM	#2
-King- ▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓ Join Date: Jan 2009 Casino cash: $-1414257	The large sound doesn't come out of the microphone... __________________ 🏁
Posts: 65,479

10-04-2010, 07:24 PM	#3
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $6000295	Its not about the sound at all, the Microphone doesn't even produce the sound. Its about the actual item in your hand. I'm guessing that whatever they used to pick up sound waves and transmit it to some kind of speaker or phonograph or something a long time ago was rather large.
Posts: 44,606

10-04-2010, 07:26 PM	#5
yeti Kansas City Chiefs Football Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Casino cash: $6673278	No macro before 1923!
Posts: 1,028

10-04-2010, 07:36 PM	#6
Slayer Diablo Cross with me Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $9994900	I think it's more of a microphone because the device goes from large to small as to funnel the sound so it can be transmitted and either recorded or amplified. With that said... While a lot of words used for ambiguous concepts are sacred, this one's not. I'll let it change if people want to change it.
Posts: 11,673

10-04-2010, 07:39 PM	#7
Crush Amateur Poster Join Date: Mar 2004 Casino cash: $2277091	I will only call it a macrophone, if everyone else does it. I do not want to look and sound stupid when I refer my friends to my fancy new macrophone.
Posts: 15,298

10-04-2010, 07:54 PM	#8
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $8993042	Macros aren't getting enough carries.
Posts: 36,832

10-04-2010, 08:21 PM	#9
JoeyChuckles Bring It Home Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Haverbrook Casino cash: $10007012	While we are at it, let's rename microwaves, micro-machines,and microbursts.
Posts: 4,322

10-04-2010, 08:27 PM	#10
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $-1324563	While we're at it, let's make sure that Herm=suck.
Posts: 51,599

10-04-2010, 08:29 PM	#11
headsnap "Think ZOOM!" Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Space Station #5 Casino cash: $-1882764	Micro and Mega...
Posts: 18,568