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發表於 12-6-2007 09:17:00
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80141
80141
ORIGIN OF 73
Via Louise Ramsey Moreau, W3WRE and Charles A. WimerKC8EHA
The following is from Louise Ramsey Moreau, W3WRE:"Thetraditional expression "73" goes right back to the beginning of thelandline telegraph days. It is found in some of the earliesteditions of the numerical codes, each with a different definition, buteach with the same idea in mind - it indicated that the end, or signature,was coming up. But there are no data to prove that any of these wereused.
"The first authentic use of 73 is in thepublication The National Telegraphic Review and Operators' Guide, firstpublished inApril 1857. At that time, 73 meant "My love toyou"! Succeeding issues of this publication continued to use thisdefinition of the term. Curiously enough, some of the other numerals usedthen had the same definition as they have now, but within a short time,the use of 73 began to change. "In the National Telegraph Convention, thenumeral was changed from the Valentine-type sentiment to a vague sign of fraternalism.Here, 73 was a greeting, a friendly "word" between operatorsand it was so used on all wires.
"In 1859, the WesternUnion Company set up the standard "92 Code." Alist of numerals from one to 92 was compiled to indicate a series ofprepared phrases for use by the operators on the wires. Here, in the 92Code, 73 changes from a fraternal sign to a very flowery "accept my compliments,"which was in keeping with the florid language of that era."Over the years from 1859 to 1900, the many manuals of telegraphy showvariations of this meaning. Dodge's The Telegraph Instructor shows itmerely as "compliments." The Twentieth Century Manual of Railways and Commercial Telegraphy defines it two ways,one listing as "my compliments to you"; but in the glossary ofabbreviations it is merely "compliments."
Theodore A. Edison's Telegraphy Self-Taught shows areturn of "accept my compliments." By 1908,however, a later edition of the Dodge Manual gives us today's definitionof "best regards" with a backward look at the older meaning inanother part of the work where it also lists it as "compliments." |
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