[SOC] Departing Salutations 73 and 88

[David Evans]

Hi all

Gleaned from 73 magazine (September 1988)-
"
88 and 73
The numerals 88 and 73 have been a tradition in communication languages for almost 130 years. The older of the two, 73 appeared in 1853 meaning " My love to you ." In 1857. The first official definition made it a "fraternal greeting between operators." Two years later in 1859, Western Union made 73a part of their "92 code" to indicate "Accept my compliments."

The final change came in 1895, when 73 meant " Best Regards" for the telegraph and later for radio, operators. 88 never received the formality of an official listing until it was adopted as one of the ham abbreviations. It had been one of the telegrapher operator's traditional terms since well before the turn of the century. During the First World War. 88 was used by the U.S. Army Signal Corps. again strictly as an operator's abbreviation in unofficial communications.  But at the close of the First World War, 88 achieved official status as part of amateur radio terminology, " Love &  Kisses."
"
Best Regards

David Evans
Business Support Officer - Equality & Diversity Unit

Telephone:-
Internal   - 860 5029
External - 01484 225029

For more information on Equality & Diversity click on http://intranet/internalservices/equality/equality.asp

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