gramophone

An Edwardian equivalent of a CD player, which played flat black discs and powered by a spring that was wound by hand. Usually had a large sound trumpet on top to amplify the sound.
Word is used in a derogatory way when refering to (once) popular music that is out of date or old fashioned.

At a party, "I've brought my Abba CD's"
Host: "I'll wind up the gramophone"

gramophone by Timof3 July 29, 2008

gramophone

not to be mistaken with “phonograph”

invented by emil berliner in 1887

the first gramophone, being one of emil berliner’s several inventions (not thomas edison, he pioneered sound recording and playback.) the design if the first gramophone being more of a skeletal frame design. it was hand cranked, but had no potential energy motor to store it. the speed and consistency was required by your own ears and lever spinning skill. the horn was paper mache, thus many original horns do not exist today.

eldridge johnson made a more iconic model of the gramophone, the victor toy gramophone. he had previously manufactured for emil berliner, becoming successful enough to open victor talking machine co. victor-c, victor junior are other iconic models. there is a long line of victor gramophones, and later victrola gramophones, and other companies too. columbia is another iconic company.

the gramophones are, of course, nothing without the playable music, records. however gramophones are different. gramophones require soft steel needles on the reproducers. the reason for soft steel is that it wont wear out the record too quickly. due to the softer stylus, every 1-3 plays, replace the needle. the edges become sharper like a pencil used one side a lot. these sharp edges cut into the side of grooves, making it harsher on the record; ruining in one play with a worn needle, plus the music quality will be reduced. most gramophones use steel needles with some, very few exceptions.

guy 1: see that old geezer over there with his horn machine thing?
guy 2: you mean the person listening to the operatic classicals of way back when?
guy 1: yeah, its not like the music of today’s time
guy 2: i mean, it is a gramophone, pretty old “talking machine”

gramophone by jsavy101 January 9, 2026

gramophone question 

A question asked all over and over again. It repeats itself like

a broken record.

A: Do you know Britney Spears' new song?

B: STFU, stop asking me that gramophone question.

gramophone question by watertowater April 9, 2011

gramophone kitty 

my legle birth name is Gramophone Kitty and I just want you to know that he's lickin' his lips! he's cheakin' it twice! five minuets left on his microwave rice!

gramophone kitty likes cats

gramophone kitty by gramophone kitty January 16, 2025

gramophoneshane 

gramophoneshane, a gay male, typically interested in Broadway show music played on early gramophone or phonograph machines.

More popularly used in Australia and New Zealand. a variation of the english slang poof shane, meaning a homosexual. Specifically a gramophoneshane is often a thin, small framed gay male, the equivalent in english is "twink"

gramophoneshane has an excellent collection of 1930's Broadway musical hits.

gramophoneshane by Anzac Research May 29, 2011

Gramophonists

A person that play gramaphone , or 1800s word for DJ

This man is the greatest Gramophonists ever! , He play that gramaphone very well...

Gramophonists by CockLord2222 October 3, 2022

Gramaphobe 

A gramaphobe is someone who cannot accept the way someone communicates over the internet or text messages.

Texter 1: lol r u comin' to da party?

Texter 2: *Are *you *coming *the

Texter 1: XD ur such a Gramaphobe

Gramaphobe by Genius6691 October 18, 2013