ghetto blaster

Thân thiện

A teenager carries a ghetto blaster on his shoulder in the park.

Definition

Noun: A large, portable radio or cassette player, typically with powerful speakers, designed to be carried on the shoulder. It is associated with urban youth culture, particularly from the late 1970s to the 1980s.

Usage

The term "ghetto blaster" refers specifically to the portable audio device itself. It is often used in historical or cultural contexts to describe a type of technology and its social impact.

Examples

• In the 1980s, it was common to see people carrying a ghetto blaster on their shoulder in the park.
• The movie scene featured a character dancing down the street with a ghetto blaster playing loud music.
• He collected vintage electronics, including an old ghetto blaster that still worked.

Advanced Usage

• The term can carry socio-cultural connotations, referencing the era and communities where these devices were prominent symbols of identity and music sharing.
• In modern usage, it is often employed nostalgically or descriptively, as the technology itself has been largely replaced by personal digital devices.

Variants and Related Words

• Boom box (noun): A more common, neutral synonym for the same type of portable stereo system.
• Portable stereo (noun): A general, descriptive term for any mobile audio system.

Synonyms

• Boom box
• Portable stereo
• Radio-cassette player (descriptive)

Notes on Usage

• The term "ghetto blaster" originated in the United States. Some consider the term dated or potentially offensive due to its etymology linking a type of technology to a socio-economically marginalized area ("ghetto"). The synonym "boom box" is widely preferred in contemporary and neutral contexts.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a portable stereo

Từ đồng nghĩa

• boom box