Wi-Fi

(WYE-fye)

n.

Wireless fidelity: a networking scheme that creates a wireless connection between a device and a network or the Internet (cf. hi-fi). Also: WiFi.

Example Citation:

"From the home, we move to public access spaces. Working with companies like Wayport, MobileStar, and Airwave, hundreds and hundreds of airports, hotels, and even restaurants are rolling out Wi-Fi access. On Jan. 3, Starbucks and Microsoft announced that in early spring each coffeehouse would begin offering Wi-Fi access for its patrons."

— J. William Gurley, "Why Wi-Fi Is The Next Big Thing," Fortune, March 5, 2001

Earliest Citation:

The Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) announced today the selection of the Silicon Valley Networking Lab Inc. (SVNL) to provide rigorous Wireless LAN product interoperability testing. WECA also unveiled Wi-Fi(TM), the new consumer brand identity for the IEEE 802.11 High Rate (HR) Standard.

— "Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance Announces Independent Test Lab and Wi-Fi Technology Brand." Business Wire, September 16, 1999

Notes:

Wi-Fi began life a couple of years ago saddled with a real eye-glazer of a name: the IEEE 802.11 High Rate (HR) Standard. Fortunately, at least one person with a sense of whimsy managed to sneak into the meeting and that unknown wordsmith coined the much snappier Wi-Fi as a play on the old audio term hi-fi (high fidelity), which entered the language around 1950.

Related Words:

digital nomad

evernet

piconet

piggybacker

unstrung

WAPathy

WAPlash

whack

Wi-Fi squatter

Categories:

Networking

Wireless