[78-L] Covering terminology

[Steven C. Barr]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Harold Aherne" <leotolstoy_75 at yahoo.com>
<snip>
> Does anyone know exactly when "78" came into use as a noun? I don't mean 
> "78 rpm
> record", as undoubtedly appeared already in 1949 or so, but just "78".
>
I'm going to guess here! The term wouldn't have been needed before 1949,
since ALL records were 78rpm. There was a short period around 1951-52
when "singles" came in all three speeds...so a record buyer had to buy
records which fit his/her/its player. "45's" were heavily promoted as such
by RCA, and that in turn may have led to records being referred to by
speed (the 7" LP singles can pretty well be ignored here, as they were
by record buyers in that era...?!). As well, the hobby of "'old' record
collecting" was beginning to gather a following; this may have created
more interest in "78's?!"

Since 45's first outsold 78's around 1954, we can figure that the
term "78" was in use by then...?! After all, "78" was a lot easier to
say or write than "78 rpm phonograph record"...?!

Steven C. Barr