Retronym

[fuzzyjay]

I saw this on the web and was taken aback:

"...the mobile HDDs also demonstrate reduced acoustic noise and are scheduled to ship next quarter, the spokesperson said." (emphasis added)

I guess it's acoustic as opposed to digital noise. It just seemed weird. It's another retronym thanks to the digital age.

Comments

[urbear]

Comprende, and maybe I was being a little pedantic. But they're talking about an electronic device; a comment that distinguishes between acoustic and electronic noise wouldn't have been out of place in an article written in the 50's.