BROKEN RECORD Meaning and
Definition
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A "broken record" is a phrase used to describe someone who repeats themselves excessively or persistently, often becoming tiresome or irritating to others. It refers to an individual who repeatedly states the same opinions or ideas without offering any new content or perspectives.
The term originates from outdated vinyl records that could become physically damaged, causing the needle to skip and repeat a section of the recorded material over and over again. Similarly, when someone is referred to as a "broken record," it implies that they continuously bring up the same topic or make the same point in a repetitive and monotonous manner, lacking originality or relevance to the conversation.
Typically used in a negative context, being compared to a "broken record" suggests a lack of flexibility or adaptability in one's communication style. It implies a stagnant mindset or an unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue. People may use this phrase to highlight the need for the individual to vary their contributions, consider alternative perspectives, or provide fresh insights. The term "broken record" is often employed with a tinge of annoyance or frustration toward the repeated statements or arguments, emphasizing the importance of introducing new ideas to maintain a productive and dynamic conversation.
Common Misspellings for BROKEN RECORD
- broke record
- vroken record
- nroken record
- hroken record
- groken record
- beoken record
- bdoken record
- bfoken record
- btoken record
- b5oken record
- b4oken record
- briken record
- brkken record
- brlken record
- brpken record
- br0ken record
- br9ken record
- brojen record
- bromen record
- brolen record
Etymology of BROKEN RECORD
The etymology of the phrase "broken record" can be traced back to the early days of gramophone records. Before the era of digital music, sound was recorded onto vinyl records which would be played using a turntable. These records had grooves on their surface that contained the audio information.
When a vinyl record was physically damaged or scratched, the needle of the turntable would get stuck in a groove, causing the same part of the recording to be repeated over and over again. Consequently, the listener would hear the same snippet of sound repeatedly, creating an unpleasant and repetitive experience.
This repetitive playback became associated with someone who repeats the same thing over and over again without variation, hence the phrase "broken record" came to be used metaphorically to refer to that kind of repetitive behavior or speech.
Idioms with the word BROKEN RECORD
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like a broken record
The idiom "like a broken record" is used to describe someone who constantly repeats themselves or a situation where a particular phrase or story is repeated excessively and becomes tiresome or annoying. It originates from the repetitive skipping sound that a vinyl record makes when severely damaged, causing the needle to play the same segment over and over again.
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sound like a broken record
The idiom "sound like a broken record" is used to describe someone who repeats the same thing or complains about something repeatedly and continuously, to the point that it becomes annoying or tiresome. It implies that the person's words or opinions are monotonously repetitive, similar to a recorded sound getting stuck in a loop and continuously replaying the same segment over and over again.
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broken record
A broken record is a person who keeps repeating the same thing over and over again, often to the point of annoyance.
