TELEGRAPH
NOUNS
► BUG a telegraph speed-key → World War II Amer. sl.
► BUZZ WIRE a telephone or telegraph line → World War I Amer. sl.
► LIVE MESSAGE a message in course of transmission; generally plural → 1870 telegraphers’ usage
► TALIWAG ► TELEWAG a telegram; a telegraph wire → 1867 Eng. dial.
NOUNS – PERSON
► BRASS POUNDER a telegraph operator → 1931 sl.
► BUG SENDER a telegraph operator using a semiautomatic key-instrument or a telegraph speed-key → World War II Amer. sl.
► LIGHTNING JERKER a telegrapher → 1891 US sl.
► LIGHTNING SHOVER a telegrapher → 1871 US railroad sl.
► LIGHTNING SLINGER a telegrapher → 1938 US railroad sl.
► PUNCHER a telegraph operator → 1974 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► WIRE TAPPER a telegrapher → 1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
VERBS
► KEEP THE WIRES HOT to telegraph incessantly → 1913 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► TELEGRAFT to telegraph → 1895 Eng. dial.
Lexicophilia 