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channel surfing - 3 dictionary results
chan⋅nel-surf
[chan-l-surf] 
–verb (used without object)
| to change from one channel on a television set to another with great or unusual frequency, esp. by using a remote control. |
Origin:
1985–90, Americanism
1985–90, Americanism
Related forms:
channel surfer, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To channel surfing
| Main Entry: | channel surfing |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | See channel grazing |
channel surfing
Switching from one television station (channel) to another frequently, either to search for an interesting program or to keep track of several programs at once. For example, What did you see on TV last night?
Nothing much; I was just channel surfing. The term transfers the surfer's search for good waves to the viewer's search for programs. This practice became widespread with the use of remote-control devices for changing channels while remaining seated some distance from the television set. [1980s] A 1990s version is Internet surfing, a similar process for searching cyberspace.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
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