Definition
A method of connecting to the internet via a telephone line and modem, common in the 1990s and early 2000s, characterized by slow speeds and the distinctive handshake sounds. Now obsolete in developed countries but remains a nostalgic reference point for older millennials.
Example Usage
Dial-up was painfully slow—loading a single webpage could take minutes.
Origin
From the mechanical process of 'dialing' a telephone number on a rotary phone, combined with the 'up' connection terminology; popularized with AOL and CompuServe in the 1980s-90s.
Fun Fact
The iconic AOL dial-up modem sound is a 56k handshake sequence that has become a symbol of 1990s nostalgia, sampled and remixed in countless modern songs and memes.
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “Dial-up” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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