hook-up orig. U.S. colloq.
(ˈhʊkʌp)
[f. phr. to hook up: hook v. 4 b, 4 e, 5.]
A connection or combination, esp. of radio or television broadcasting facilities.
| 1903 A. H. Lewis Boss 116 It'll put us in line for a hook-up with th' reform bunch in th' fight for th' town next year. 1911 H. Quick Yellowstone Nights vii. 191 The Golden Fountain..had no lawyer against us. It was a funny hook-up. 1922 L. D. Brigham How to make Vacuum Wireless Receiving Sets 39 The remainder of the hook-up is just like the other amplifier hook-ups. 1927 Observer 11 Dec. 16/5 National appeals are possible by wireless when the various American ‘Radio Corporations’ agree to a ‘national hook-up’. 1929 Lit. Digest 18 May 79/1 These lines are the skeleton of a gigantic aerial hook-up that now seems destined to cover South America. 1930 P. W. Slosson Gt. Crusade x. 278 A radio hook-up brought the whole nation to the [prize] ring side. 1932 E. Wallace When Gangs came to London xxi. 186 There had to be either a hook-up or one side had to go out of business. 1944 E. J. Teichert Ferrous Metall. (ed. 2) II. xi. 227 The electrical hook-up..is of such a nature that the two motors act as a unit. 1950 Wodehouse Nothing Serious 16 He could not have been better informed regarding it if the facts had been broadcast on a nation⁓wide hook-up. 1957 Times 31 Oct. 11/4 This American precedent of appearing in person on a nation wide hook-up. 1959 Punch 28 Oct. 360/3 Are you now in favour of a Lab-Lib hook-up? 1967 Electronics 6 Mar. 80/1 How do you create a galvanometer..that doesn't require hours of delicate dial twiddling, trapdoor adjustments or experimental hook-ups? 1970 New Yorker 12 Sept. 25 Discussing layouts, viewing charts, and getting computer information via a Picturephone/Computer hookup are just a few of the areas being pursued. |
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▸ slang (orig. and chiefly U.S.). A romantic or sexual relationship; esp. a casual sexual encounter. Cf. to hook up v. 1 at hook v. Additions.
| 1987 X. W. Cartiér Be-bop, Re-bop ii. 60 Our relationship..didn't exactly start out to be one of those everlastin hook-ups. 2000 Twist Special No Way! Summer 35/2 She'd heard my ex telling people that I was a total hookup queen and that I cheated on him. 2007 Globe & Mail (Canada) (Nexis) 14 Apr. d12 Abstinence..welcomes those who wish to be re-chastened, and repent of their wicked hookups. |