Walkman

Definition

Sony's iconic portable cassette player released in 1979, which allowed people to listen to music while mobile and became a cultural phenomenon that dominated personal audio for decades. The term is often used generically for any portable music device.

Example Usage

He clipped his Walkman to his belt and headed out for a morning jog with his favorite mixtape.

Origin

Sony trademarked the term 'Walkman' as a deliberate non-standard compound, avoiding the word 'player' to emphasize portability and freedom.

Fun Fact

The original Walkman weighed only 14 ounces and cost $200; it was revolutionary because it was the first device that made high-quality music truly portable and personal.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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