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.

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	Topic Starter
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-682449 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: 145,512

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode