[Ads-l] Antedating of "Boom Box"

Sun Mar 30 14:56:56 UTC 2025

Interesting topic, Fred. Here are three pertinent citations for "boom
boxes" in chronological order.

In 1967 "boom boxes" appeared in a newspaper in England, but the
referent was ambiguous. It did not seem to be electronic. Perhaps it
corresponded to a large drum.

Date: November 24, 1967
Newspaper: Birmingham Evening Mail
Newspaper Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, England
Article: Mourning Train
Author: John Newton Chance
Quote Page 13, Column 3
Database: Newspapers.com
https://www.newspapers.com/image/852992879/

[Begin excerpt]
The band comprised three rhythm groups from local villages, using five
guitars, four whistles, drums, cymbals and boom boxes. A selection of
funeral music played by this combo was an experience of unbelievable
ferocity
[End excerpt]

There was a match in 1970, but the device in the citation seemed to be
an electronic amplifier.  The OED definition suggests that a boombox
is  "A large portable radio and cassette player … with powerful
speakers" which is a bit different.

Date: July 11, 1970
Newspaper: The Sunday Sun (The Vancouver Sun)
Newspaper Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Section: Weekend Magazine
Article: Attack! Hippies: A Final Solution
Author: McKenzie Porter
Quote Page 2, Column 1
Database: Newspapers.com
https://www.newspapers.com/image/491393736/

[Begin excerpt]
King-sized ukuleles and jumbo banjos are plugged into electronic "boom
boxes" by hippies who then recite, keen or scream lyrics couched in
the language of the Liverpool slum and the Arkansas barnyard. This is
upheld as entertainment of deep significance.
[End excerpt]

There was a match for "boom boxes" in 1971, and this device did
incorporate a tape recorder.

Date: August 8, 1971
Newspaper: Lincoln Journal Star
Newspaper Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Section: Back To School
Article: Classroom Changes May Make
Author: Ed Icenogle
Quote Page 1G
Database: Newspapers.com
https://www.newspapers.com/image/313570178/

[Begin excerpt]
An estimated 1,000 fifth-graders will find "boom boxes" in their
instrumental music classes this fall, according to Gene Stoll, music
consultant for the schools. These are cassette recorder systems that
play band tapes.  ...

The program, titled "Learning Unlimited Band Series," will
individualize learning. A student may use it either for remedial or
advanced work - if the fifth grader needs work or wants to advance
more rapidly than the class, the "boom box" will allow him to do it,
Stoll said.

The "boom box" differs from present tape programs in that special
speakers produce a "true sound." rather than a flat sound. ...

One "boom box" is being purchased for each elementary school, and all
instrumental teachers will have one. Stoll said the Lincoln school
system is piloting the program nationally.
[End excerpt]

Garson

On Sat, Mar 29, 2025 at 11:18 AM Shapiro, Fred <fred.shapiro at yale.edu> wrote:
>
> boom box (portable player) (OED 1981)
>
> 1980 Pittsburgh Press 7 Dec. G-1/1 (Newspapers.com)
>
> The box got so hot in New York City that Mugger's Special became the industry name ... Ghetto Blaster and Boom Box have also been suggested.  Blacks buy about 60 percent of the estimated 100 portable radio-tape players sold weekly at Ralph's Discount City, Downtown.
>
> Fred Shapiro
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org