telegraphese

American

[tel-i-gra-feez, -fees, tel-i-gra-feez, -fees] / ˈtɛl ɪ græˌfiz, -ˌfis, ˌtɛl ɪ græˈfiz, -ˈfis /

noun

a style of writing or speaking distinguished by the omissions, abbreviations, and combinations that are characteristic of telegrams, as in “ expect arrive six evening. ”

Etymology

Origin of telegraphese

First recorded in 1880–85; telegraph + -ese

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Today "telegraphese" - saying as much as possible in the fewest number of words - has a new home in the Twittersphere.

From BBC

Also, this is quite a new trade for me, who have only dealt hitherto in foreign wines, and British party politics, and bimetallism—and can only write in telegraphese!

From Project Gutenberg

In feebler hands, it degenerates into what in London journalistic slang is known as "telegraphese."

From Project Gutenberg

This simple story was told in very touching and beautiful language, by no means telegraphese, and Barty and I were deeply affected by it.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023