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What is Telly Short For, and How Does it Relate to TV?

Published in Television Terminology 2 mins read

"Telly" is an informal British English term that is short for television. It is not short for "TV"; rather, "TV" is also an abbreviation for television, widely used, particularly in American English. Both terms refer to the same electronic device used for viewing broadcast programs.

Understanding the Terms

While both "telly" and "TV" refer to a television set, their usage and regional preferences differ.

Telly

  • Origin: "Telly" is a shortened, informal form of the word "television."
  • Usage: It is predominantly used in British English. For example, people in the UK might say, "Let's watch the news on the telly."
  • Formality: It is considered an informal term.
  • Plural Form: The plural form of "telly" is "tellies."

TV

  • Origin: "TV" is an abbreviation for "television." The letters T and V stand for "tele" (meaning "far" in Greek) and "vision" (meaning "sight").
  • Usage: It is widely used across various English-speaking regions but is the standard and more common term in American English. For instance, in the US, one would typically say, "Turn on the TV."
  • Formality: "TV" can be used in both informal and more formal contexts, making it a versatile and universally understood abbreviation.

Key Differences and Relationships

It's important to understand that "telly" and "TV" are independent shortened forms of "television," not derived from each other. They serve as colloquial or abbreviated ways to refer to the same piece of technology.

The table below highlights their main characteristics:

Feature Telly TV
Full Form Television Television
Usage Region Primarily British English Widely used, especially American English
Formality Informal General (informal and formal)
Common Use Colloquial conversations Standard abbreviation
Plural Form Tellies TVs

In essence, whether you call it a "telly" or a "TV," you are referring to the same household appliance that brings visual and auditory content into your home. The choice often depends on regional dialect and the desired level of informality.