intercom
IN-ter-kom
/ˈɪn.tə.kɒm/
An electronic voice communication system featuring a microphone and loudspeaker for short-distance transmissions.
Refers specifically to the two-way speaker unit used to order food at drive-thru lanes or communicate across rooms.
The story behind the word. Shortened from 'intercommunication system,' this term originated during World War II when military forces required clear voice links between compartments in aircraft and ships. It quickly adapted to civilian applications, including drive-thru ordering posts in the 1950s.
Word relationships
- speakerphone: 'Speakerphone' refers to a telephone feature, whereas 'intercom' is a standalone local communication channel.
Commonly confused with
- megaphone: A megaphone amplifies one person's voice to a crowd, whereas an intercom supports two-way conversation between fixed points.
Collocations
- drive-thru intercom
- intercom speaker
- speak into the intercom
- intercom system
Example sentences
- "The driver spoke clearly into the outdoor intercom to specify her drink order." Placing an order from inside a vehicle.
- "Static on the old intercom made it difficult for the cashier to hear complex customization requests." Describing technical equipment at a drive-thru lane.
Memory hook
INTER-connect your voice through the COM-munication speaker. The box you talk to in the drive-thru lane.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a personal mobile phone or a public radio broadcast.
Fun facts
- Early drive-thru intercoms used vacuum tubes that required several minutes to warm up before taking orders.
- Modern intercom systems feature digital noise-canceling chips to filter out idling car engines.
Related words
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