On the Same Wavelength

Let’s get on the same wavelength today.

What a curious turn of phrase! This metaphorical phrase borrows language from physics, but only indirectly. It was the medium of radio during the early 20th century that gave wavelengths the spotlight.

In On the Same Page, I wrote the following short passage:

During the roaring 20s in America, radio became unbelievably popular. Less than 1% of homes had radios at the start of the decade, and over 60% had them by the end of it.

Suddenly, people were talking about specific wavelengths that individual radio stations would use to broadcast. If you wanted to listen to a particular show, you would need to tune your radio in to the right wavelength.

Today, we call where you tune your radio dial a station, but that’s only because each station uses its own wavelength. If two different stations were broadcasting on the same wavelength, they’d end up interfering with one another.

It’s easy to understand why this phrase became popular, and I think it’s clear wh…