"Crossed wires" can describe either of these situations:
1. when people who are supposedly having a conversation with each other are actually talking about completely different things
2. when a dialogue gets out of sync because people are not listening to each other - in a written dialogue this is usually because someone has posted twice before reading a reply.
The expression derives from ye olden days of analogue telephones. Sometimes when speaking on the phone in the 60s or 70s it was possible to hear another conversation on the same line. You might also pick up the phone and find that instead of a dial tone you could hear a conversation. This situation was called "crossed wires".
1. when people who are supposedly having a conversation with each other are actually talking about completely different things
2. when a dialogue gets out of sync because people are not listening to each other - in a written dialogue this is usually because someone has posted twice before reading a reply.
The expression derives from ye olden days of analogue telephones. Sometimes when speaking on the phone in the 60s or 70s it was possible to hear another conversation on the same line. You might also pick up the phone and find that instead of a dial tone you could hear a conversation. This situation was called "crossed wires".
Example 1:
Emma: I can't wait for the weekend
Joe: Freedom at last! Next year I'm going travelling
Emma: We're throwing a party for our graduation
Joe: I'm gonna hitchhike around Europe
Emma: Everyone is invited. Hope they all come.
Joe: London Paris and Rome here I come!
Emma: You are coming aren't you?
Joe: Wanna come with me?
Emma: Crossed wires!
Example 2:
Jack: I'm sick and tired of arguing
Anna: sorry I didn't mean to upset you. I forgot that you don't like talking about politics
Jack: and I get the feeling you're trying to upset me!
Jack: sorry crossed wires
Emma: I can't wait for the weekend
Joe: Freedom at last! Next year I'm going travelling
Emma: We're throwing a party for our graduation
Joe: I'm gonna hitchhike around Europe
Emma: Everyone is invited. Hope they all come.
Joe: London Paris and Rome here I come!
Emma: You are coming aren't you?
Joe: Wanna come with me?
Emma: Crossed wires!
Example 2:
Jack: I'm sick and tired of arguing
Anna: sorry I didn't mean to upset you. I forgot that you don't like talking about politics
Jack: and I get the feeling you're trying to upset me!
Jack: sorry crossed wires
by Jules Fox April 11, 2013
Get the Crossed wires mug.When you say something about someone that shouldn't ever be said with them around, not knowing that they're listening nearby, only to respond to you with unexpected anger and fury.
Xbox Kid 1: Yo I heard Mike's Girlfriends armpits were hairy.
Xbox kid 2: Yeah man me too.
Mike: You guys crossed the line, next time I see you guys you're all fucking dead.
Xbox kid 2: Yeah man me too.
Mike: You guys crossed the line, next time I see you guys you're all fucking dead.
by roflwat12 August 31, 2010
Get the crossed the line mug.Related Words
Chossed
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by Emilyrosewhatever March 11, 2013
Get the Freckle-crossed Lovers mug."I met the love of my life, only to have her die five minutes afterword. Our destiny was a star crossed one indeed."
by John "Triggerhappy" Wells October 27, 2005
Get the Star Crossed mug.When someone has fallen asleep in death. The Styx river is a location in Greek mythology. Located in the Underworld, it is a river that serves as a barrier separating the world of the living from the world of the dead.
Larry: "Hey Joe where is our co-worker Kyle? I haven't seen him in a few days, hope he is okay."
Joe: "I hate to break it to ya Larry, but Kyle had crossed the Styx river recently."
Larry: "So Joe went on vacation? Sounds like a chill time if you ask me."
Joe: Sigh..."Kyle has died Larry.... I was at his funeral two days ago. Since his life went a total downward spiral, he must've reasoned it would have been better to do the one way trip down the proverbial Styx river than to be among the land of the living."
Larry: "Damn, I didn't know he was in such a dark place. He seemed to be such a bright & jolly dude. Well, I should pay my respects after work."
Joe: "I hate to break it to ya Larry, but Kyle had crossed the Styx river recently."
Larry: "So Joe went on vacation? Sounds like a chill time if you ask me."
Joe: Sigh..."Kyle has died Larry.... I was at his funeral two days ago. Since his life went a total downward spiral, he must've reasoned it would have been better to do the one way trip down the proverbial Styx river than to be among the land of the living."
Larry: "Damn, I didn't know he was in such a dark place. He seemed to be such a bright & jolly dude. Well, I should pay my respects after work."
by jpjp5454 December 11, 2019
Get the Crossed the Styx river mug.When a girl has you thinking about her so that you cant concentrate on anything else. Also, when you're undecided about what to do with a girl that you kinda like, but is not sure if she is into you or not.
by tim349 November 6, 2006
Get the crossed up mug.by jacojaoc joaej January 13, 2019
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