RadioBanter - View Single Post - When did ignorance overcome education, for the correct plural is, "antennae"?

[email protected] · May 23rd 16, 10:57 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna

Ian Jackson wrote:
In message ,
writes

I have never heard an American use the word "aerial" in reference to
an antenna.

As I'm sure I've said before in this NG, on YouTube there's a Laurel and
Hardy movie from around 1930, where they are making a complete hash of
erecting a wire radio 'aerial' (said quite distinctly). I suppose it is
just possible that that part of the dialog(ue) was dubbed-in for the
overseas market - but I doubt it. Also, in American magazines and
newspapers of the 1920s, in adverts for radio sets etc there is the very
occasional use of word 'aerial'.

Laurel was English and Hardy was American for what that's worth.

I have seen the word 'aerial' in pre-WWII US publications but only when
used tongue in cheek in modern US publications.

In modern US English, you only see the word in conjuction with something
in the air, as in aerial tram.

--
Jim Pennino