Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
a plug
English answer:
a favourable public mention as a form of indirect publicity
Added to glossary by
Nick Lingris
Aug 3, 2005 22:59
18 yrs ago
1 viewer *
English term
United Kingdom
Translation is a challenge!
Native in: Polish 
Works in: English to Polish, Polish to English, English, and 1 more.
There's a plug if ever I heard one
English
Art/Literary
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
I'm stuck with this one.
It is spoken by a guy in a recording studio, after he made some favourable though not too elaborate comment about (this? some other?) recording studio. Could someone please explain that to a blonde?
tia!
It is spoken by a guy in a recording studio, after he made some favourable though not too elaborate comment about (this? some other?) recording studio. Could someone please explain that to a blonde?
tia!
Responses
| 5 +18 | favourable mention |
Nick Lingris
|
Responses
+18
2 mins
Nick Lingris
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Specializes in field
United Kingdom
The word is my oyster
Native in: Greek
Works in: English to Greek, Greek to English, Greek
Related KudoZ points
:
8
Selected
favourable mention
plug (IN BROADCASTING) publicizing mention: a favourable mention of something to publicize it, for example during a broadcast about something else
[Encarta World English Dictionary]
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Note added at 6 mins (2005-08-03 23:06:06 GMT)
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In case it\'s the syntax that bothers you:
This is the most obvious \'plug\' I\'ve ever heard.
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Note added at 42 mins (2005-08-03 23:42:09 GMT)
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As willmatter et al have pointed out, it is a form of indirect advertising.
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Note added at 9 hrs 30 mins (2005-08-04 08:30:04 GMT)
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I will also agree with Kurt that Encarta\'s label (Broadcasting) may be too restrictive.
Here are a few more interesting attempts of lexicographers trying to pin down this meaning of \'plug\':
New Oxford Dictionary: a piece of publicity promoting a product, event, or establishment: he threw in a plug, boasting that the restaurant offered many entrees for under $5.
Oxford\'s Twentieth Century Words: (1902) an advertisement; an instance of publicity; a method of drawing attention to a product, an entertainment, etc., especially by repeatedly referring to it. Colloquial, originally US. The related verb is first recorded in 1906.
1902 George Ade: They were friendly to the prosperous Bachelor and each one determined to put in a few quiet Plugs for Sis.
1906 Helen Green: I ain\'t got any music, so you kin plug any publisher\'s stuff an\' play what you wanter.
[My comment: I had no idea this use went as far back as the beginning of the previous century. Re the latter example: plug-and-play has nothing to do with this :-) ]
My favourite definition from a students\' dictionary (Macmillan English Dictionary):
an attempt to make people interested in a book, film etc by talking about it in an enthusiastic way, especially on a radio or television programme: Guests are given the chance to put in a plug for their latest book.
[Encarta World English Dictionary]
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 mins (2005-08-03 23:06:06 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
In case it\'s the syntax that bothers you:
This is the most obvious \'plug\' I\'ve ever heard.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 42 mins (2005-08-03 23:42:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
As willmatter et al have pointed out, it is a form of indirect advertising.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs 30 mins (2005-08-04 08:30:04 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I will also agree with Kurt that Encarta\'s label (Broadcasting) may be too restrictive.
Here are a few more interesting attempts of lexicographers trying to pin down this meaning of \'plug\':
New Oxford Dictionary: a piece of publicity promoting a product, event, or establishment: he threw in a plug, boasting that the restaurant offered many entrees for under $5.
Oxford\'s Twentieth Century Words: (1902) an advertisement; an instance of publicity; a method of drawing attention to a product, an entertainment, etc., especially by repeatedly referring to it. Colloquial, originally US. The related verb is first recorded in 1906.
1902 George Ade: They were friendly to the prosperous Bachelor and each one determined to put in a few quiet Plugs for Sis.
1906 Helen Green: I ain\'t got any music, so you kin plug any publisher\'s stuff an\' play what you wanter.
[My comment: I had no idea this use went as far back as the beginning of the previous century. Re the latter example: plug-and-play has nothing to do with this :-) ]
My favourite definition from a students\' dictionary (Macmillan English Dictionary):
an attempt to make people interested in a book, film etc by talking about it in an enthusiastic way, especially on a radio or television programme: Guests are given the chance to put in a plug for their latest book.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Fantastic answer! It all makes perfect sense now. Thanks a lot Nick and everyone for their comments. (And I'm glad I asked but you must have been busy answering all these comments, Nick ;) There could still be more coming!
Ok, thanks again and all the best, eva"
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