walkie-lookie
Definition
Noun:
- Portable television camera: "walkie-lookie" is a slang term for a portable television camera, especially one used for live news reporting or field broadcasting. It refers to a compact, handheld camera that can be carried and operated by a single person.
Usage Examples
- (A portable television camera for reporting.)
- (Historical reference to early portable TV cameras.)
Advanced Usage
- "to be on the walkie-lookie": to be filming or broadcasting with a handheld camera.
- The reporter is on the walkie-lookie, bringing us live updates from the scene. (The reporter is using a portable camera for live broadcast.)
Variants and Related Words
- Walkie-talkie (n): a portable two-way radio transceiver, distinct from a camera.
- The crew communicated via walkie-talkies while filming with the walkie-lookie. (Two-way radio device.)
Synonyms
- Portable camera: a camera that is easy to carry.
- Handheld camera: a camera designed to be held in the hands.
Related Idioms
- On the go: being mobile or portable, as in the walkie-lookie's function.
- The walkie-lookie allowed reporters to be on the go with their equipment. (Mobile and active.)
Note: "Walkie-lookie" is an informal, dated term, primarily used in mid-20th-century broadcasting jargon. It is rarely used in modern contexts, having been replaced by terms like "handheld camera" or "portable video camera."