singing telegram: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/RareInformal, Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “singing telegram” mean?
A humorous greeting or message delivered in person by someone who sings it, usually for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A humorous greeting or message delivered in person by someone who sings it, usually for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary.
A novelty service or performance where a costumed messenger arrives unexpectedly to sing a personalized song to the recipient, often as a surprise gift. It can also refer to the performer delivering the message.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Concept is understood in both, but slightly more culturally embedded in the US due to historical advertising. In the UK, it might be described as a 'novelty singing message' or 'singing messenger'.
Connotations
US: Strong association with 1970s/80s fad, kitsch, comedy, often involving an Elvis or gorilla costume. UK: Seen as a quirky, American-inspired novelty service.
Frequency
Low frequency in both. More likely encountered in nostalgic contexts, comedy routines, or as a niche gift option.
Grammar
How to Use “singing telegram” in a Sentence
[Someone] sends [someone] a singing telegram.[A singing telegram] arrives for [someone].[A performer] delivers a singing telegram to [someone].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “singing telegram” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Her colleagues clubbed together to send her a hilarious singing telegram for her leaving do.
- The agency's most popular singing telegram involves a man dressed as a chicken.
American English
- As a gag gift, we got him a singing telegram from an Elvis impersonator.
- The singing telegram showed up at the office and totally embarrassed my boss.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- He runs a singing-telegram business on the side.
- We had a singing-telegram moment when the waiter brought the cake.
American English
- It was a classic singing-telegram surprise.
- She works as a singing-telegram performer on weekends.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the novelty entertainment industry; e.g., 'We offer singing telegrams for corporate events.'
Academic
Rare. Might appear in cultural studies discussing fads or performative communication.
Everyday
Used when discussing surprise gifts or planning for a humorous birthday celebration.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “singing telegram”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “singing telegram”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “singing telegram”
- Using it to refer to any sung message (e.g., a friend singing 'Happy Birthday' is NOT a singing telegram).
- Assuming it involves an actual paper telegram.
- Using it in formal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The name is nostalgic. It is a live, in-person performance, not a written message sent by telegraph.
Not technically. A singing telegram implies a professional or semi-professional service hired for the purpose. A friend's performance would just be 'singing a funny song'.
They are quite rare today, considered a nostalgic or deliberately kitschy gift. They were most popular in the 1970s and 80s.
A singing telegram involves only singing a humorous message. A 'strippergram' or similar (like a 'gorillagram') involves a costume and dance/performance, often with an element of striptease, and is more adult-oriented.
A humorous greeting or message delivered in person by someone who sings it, usually for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary.
Singing telegram is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Singing telegram: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪŋɪŋ ˈtel.ɪ.ɡræm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɪŋɪŋ ˈtel.ə.ɡræm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. Concept itself is idiomatic.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SING' + 'TELEGRAM'. It's like an old-fashioned telegram, but instead of reading it, you hear it SUNG to you.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS PERFORMANCE / A MESSAGE IS A SHOW.
Practice
Quiz
What is the MOST accurate description of a 'singing telegram'?