Definition

Short for mimeograph, a printing technology that used a stencil and rotating drum to produce copies; mimeo machines were affordable, low-tech alternatives to photocopiers for producing multiple copies of documents or newsletters. Mimeographed pages had a distinctive slightly bluish tint and distinctive smell.

Example Usage

The student newspaper was printed on the school's old mimeo machine every Friday.

Origin

Shortened form of 'mimeograph,' from Greek 'mimeos' (imitative) + 'graph' (writing), the technology was invented in 1876 and dominated before photocopiers.

Fun Fact

The iconic smell of mimeo ink ('that purple smell') became deeply nostalgic for generations and is now recreated as a novelty scent—many people remember the aroma from elementary school handouts.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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