Who Coined the Term Photoplay?
Who Coined the Term Photoplay?
Have you ever wondered why movies were so commonly called "photoplay"? Here is an interesting background on that very subject!
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You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
Re: Who Coined the Term Photoplay?
I like the term photoplay. It sounds classier than "movie" or "moving picture" and more artistic than "film" or "motion picture."
Re: Who Coined the Term Photoplay?
Doesn't it? I like it a lot. It's a pleasant word to say out loud, too.
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
Re: Who Coined the Term Photoplay?
I was thinking that it's a shame the term fell into disuse, but then it occurred to me that Cheech and Chong Up in Smoke would be referred to as a photoplay, and somehow... No. Just no.
Re: Who Coined the Term Photoplay?
funniest thing I've heard all day!!
I will tell you that I love those movies, though.
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
- dachshundonstilts
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Re: Who Coined the Term Photoplay?
The linguist George Kingsley Zipf proposed the idea that more frequently used words tend to get shorter over time. I guess a corollary is that a shorter word for the same commonly-mentioned thing would see more frequent use. That may be what doomed "photoplay," given the availability of "film" and "movie."
I'm intrigued, though, by that phrase "picture theater." That's a new one on me.
I'm intrigued, though, by that phrase "picture theater." That's a new one on me.
"I feel so low, old chap, that I could get on stilts and walk under a dachshund." - Monty, It (1927)
Re: Who Coined the Term Photoplay?
That's a nice one, I agree! I don't know if I'd heard it before, either. It makes it sound like you're going to something much more grand.dachshundonstilts wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:39 pmI'm intrigued, though, by that phrase "picture theater." That's a new one on me.
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
- dachshundonstilts
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- Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:34 pm
Re: Who Coined the Term Photoplay?
The term "talkies" is one I'm glad didn't last very long. I assume there were two reasons it didn't; the rapid disappearance of silent pictures and the basically unappealing sound of the word "talkie." It's a homophone of "talky," and who wants to see a photoplay that's talky?
"I feel so low, old chap, that I could get on stilts and walk under a dachshund." - Monty, It (1927)
Re: Who Coined the Term Photoplay?
Those are interesting thoughts. I like to use it quaintly.
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
- dachshundonstilts
- Posts: 1166
- Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:34 pm
Re: Who Coined the Term Photoplay?
Yeah, I do sometimes wish people would use it occasionally as in "Let's go to the talkies." I don't actually like to see any word completely die out.
"I feel so low, old chap, that I could get on stilts and walk under a dachshund." - Monty, It (1927)