Cablegram

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ˈkeɪbəlˌɡræm/

Definitions

1. (Noun) A message or communication sent by cable, especially one transmitted over long distances, such as a telegram sent via telegraph or other cable systems.
2. (Noun) A telegram or telegraphic message sent through a cable system, especially one that provides urgent or important information.

Usage Examples

- The news of the election result arrived via cablegram, reaching far corners of the globe within minutes.
- He sent a cablegram to his family to inform them about his sudden change in plans.

Etymology

"Cablegram" is derived from the combination of "cable," referring to the system of wires used for telegraphy or communication, and "telegram," which refers to a message sent by telegraph. The word emerged in the late 19th century when the use of submarine cables and telegraph systems became more widespread for sending messages over long distances, particularly across oceans.

Synonyms

• Telegraph message
• Wire
• Cable message

Antonyms

• Postal letter
• Hand-delivered message
• Email

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

- In American English, the pronunciation is /ˈkeɪbəlˌɡræm/, with emphasis on the first syllable.
- In British English, the pronunciation is similar but might feature a more clipped 'a' sound: /ˈkeɪbəlˌɡrɑːm/.

Historical Usage

The term "cablegram" was widely used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when telegraphy and submarine cables were the primary means of sending messages over long distances, especially internationally. This mode of communication became crucial for business, government, and personal communications, as it allowed near-instant delivery of messages across continents. With the advent of more modern forms of communication, such as telephones and the internet, cablegrams became obsolete, but the term remains as part of historical communications lexicon.

Cultural Nuances

Cablegrams were often associated with urgent, important messages, particularly in the early to mid-20th century. During wartime, cablegrams were essential for sending critical communications between governments and military leaders. In some cultures, receiving a cablegram was a significant event, often seen as a symbol of timely and important information. With the advent of more modern technologies like email and instant messaging, the cultural importance of cablegrams has diminished but they remain a nostalgic symbol of early global communication methods.

More Information

A cablegram was a type of telegraph message sent through undersea or overland cables, which were used to connect distant parts of the world for the rapid exchange of information. Before the widespread use of telephones and the internet, cablegrams were one of the most reliable means of sending urgent messages. They were typically used for business, personal communications, or in some cases, to transmit news reports across countries. The rise of modern communication technologies has rendered cablegrams obsolete, but they remain an important part of communication history.