SNP’s word of the day: Hi-fi

Word: Hi-fi

Meaning: Short for “high fidelity,” a.k.a. high-quality sound reproduction. But in ’50s conventional slang, it means a record player.

Usage: “Play it again on the hi-fi, Sam.” — Yes, I just effed with Casablanca.

You should know it because: Saying “vinyl is back” is like announcing the return of black pants, and yet there’s something to it. According to retail reports, vinyl sales were up significantly last year, even though album sales overall declined. It’s not just nostalgia: digital music quality is uneven, especially when you download, and lacks both sonic depth and that surface crackle and scratch that makes record-listening so satisfying.

For every trendy chillwave or basement R&B–type lo-fi act, there’s a more old-fashioned band or singer best played on the hi-fi. Adele, the National, the amazing new Girls album: all way too rich for earphones. And you haven’t heard “Killing Me Softly” ’til you’ve heard it sung by Roberta Flack on a threadbare old record.

If you’re nodding and agreeing, there’s a new hi-fi book for you: Courtney E. Smith‘s music-geek guide, Record Collecting for Girls, is now available at Chapters-Indigo and probably your favourite indie bookstore, too.

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