# Why is there no nickname for "microwave"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 7, 2007, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497 "2007-11-07T01:40:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/41 "2007-11-07T13:15:47Z")
We used ‘mike’ at my home growing up. ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/42 "2007-11-07T13:19:52Z")
If you asked me to mike a pizza, I’d pull out my micrometer and see how thick it is. Then again, I am an engineer. I’ve never called a microwave anything but a microwave, but I’m going to start calling mine Steve as well. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/43 "2007-11-07T13:29:53Z")
I don’t see why it’s necessary to shorten it; there’s rarely an occasion when the word needs to be used repeatedly for work purposes (I suppose that possibly telecom or other engineering types that use the word microwave repeatedly would have a short name for it, but that’s not in reference to ovens). Microphones probably got shortened to mike because stage workers often have to set up several of them, test them, etc., in a fairly fast-paced environment. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/44 "2007-11-07T13:58:26Z")
[QUOTE=An Arky] I don’t see why it’s necessary to shorten it; there’s rarely an occasion when the word needs to be used repeatedly for work purposes (I suppose that possibly telecom or other engineering types that use the word microwave repeatedly would have a short name for it, but that’s not in reference to ovens). Microphones probably got shortened to mike because stage workers often have to set up several of them, test them, etc., in a fairly fast-paced environment. [/QUOTE] So why was “fridge” shortened? Also, those who call it a nuker – would you use that word in a non-cooking context? For instance, since I have cats, when I want to defrost meat at room temperature, I stick it in the microwave so it’s secure from feline depredations. Would I stick it in the nuker if I’m not turning it on? Do you call it a nuker when it’s an object aside from its function? ---
**Author:** ![Flipshod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f19dbf/32.png) [@Flipshod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flipshod)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/45 "2007-11-07T14:38:54Z")
I don’t think it has gotten shortened into any kind of broad consensus term because we very rarely have to actually refer to it. I think the verb “to nuke” functions well enough that I rarely find myself even referring to the oven as a noun. (and I think I would just call it “the oven” even at the risk of confusing it with the “real” oven) ---
**Author:** ![FourPaws](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e0b2c6/32.png) [@FourPaws](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FourPaws)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/46 "2007-11-07T14:40:45Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] So why was “fridge” shortened? Also, those who call it a nuker – would you use that word in a non-cooking context? For instance, since I have cats, when I want to defrost meat at room temperature, I stick it in the microwave so it’s secure from feline depredations. Would I stick it in the nuker if I’m not turning it on? Do you call it a nuker when it’s an object aside from its function? [/QUOTE] I do that too, as the cat has a penchant for fish (oddly enough) and the dogs will eat everything that’s not bolted down. For the record, growing up (we also got one in the late 70’s) and to this day I still call it the micro. So does the wifey. When we’re putting things in there to keep it from being devoured, we say, “I stuffed it in the micro.” ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/47 "2007-11-07T15:36:23Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Are remotes still commonly called clickers? That use to be common, but it is not like they click any more. Jim [/QUOTE] Remotes used to click? Did they have dial selectors or something? I’ve never heard of nuker, micro, mike or wave. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/48 "2007-11-07T16:11:48Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] I have never heard “mike” or “micro” used for a microwave in my life. I would also be looking for a microphone or perhaps a 1980’s style microcomputer laying around. [/quote] So someone says “I’m going to put a cup of water in the mike for tea” and you are completely at sea as to what they could possibly mean? I have to line up with **QED** in finding that a little dubious. > [@](#): > > Is this just a coincidence that the handful of people that use these terms for microwave belong to this board and stumbled upon this thread? My life includes a pretty broad U.S. regional sampling and I am finding it hard to believe people actually use those terms. Right, because if you personally never heard of it, it couldn’t possibly have been used. :rolleyes: I “call bullshit” on you being the arbiter of regional usage and what is or isn’t said based solely on your own personal experience. Jodi, who grew up in Montana, where the mic (“mike”) is the mircowave oven, the remote control is the clicker, and, FYI, the console between the front seats in the truck is the jockey box. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/49 "2007-11-07T16:13:38Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] …Would I stick it in the nuker if I’m not turning it on? Do you call it a nuker when it’s an object aside from its function? [/QUOTE] When I put one into my microwave oven magnetic rail cannon, I call them ammo. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/50 "2007-11-07T16:14:32Z")
[QUOTE=FourPaws] When we’re putting things in there to keep it from being devoured, we say, “I stuffed it in the micro.” [/QUOTE] The '_cro!_ Dewd 1: Dewd! My coffee’s cold. Dewd 2: Chuck it in the 'cro, bro. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/51 "2007-11-07T16:19:01Z")
[QUOTE=Omega Glory] Remotes used to click? Did they have dial selectors or something? … [/QUOTE] Yes, they [clicked](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_control#Television_Remote_Controls) (At least the Zenith Space Command did, it mechanically operated an ultrasonic noise-producing bar). ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/52 "2007-11-07T16:34:00Z")
[QUOTE=Omega Glory] Remotes used to click? Did they have dial selectors or something? [/QUOTE] There were two different early types that clicked. One was the [classic Zenith remote](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Zenith_Space_Commander_600.jpg) that operated a servo on the TV itself that made a nice loud click. [QUOTE=wiki] [In 1956 Robert Adler](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_control#Television_Remote_Controls) developed “Zenith Space Command”, a wireless remote. It was mechanical and used ultrasound to change the channel and volume. When the user pushed a button on the remote control it clicked and struck a bar, hence the term “clicker”. [/QUOTE] I cannot find the other style I was thinking of that of, but some cable boxes use to be on long cords with 10-30 push buttons that clicked and a fine tuning thumb wheel and often a button selector switch so that the 10-30 buttons could each be used for 3-5 stations. As I said, the push buttons clicked. [QUOTE=Jodi] FYI, the console between the front seats in the truck is the jockey box. [/QUOTE] That is a new one on me. Any idea of why it is called that? ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/53 "2007-11-07T16:35:37Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] So why was “fridge” shortened? Also, those who call it a nuker – would you use that word in a non-cooking context? For instance, since I have cats, when I want to defrost meat at room temperature, I stick it in the microwave so it’s secure from feline depredations. Would I stick it in the nuker if I’m not turning it on? Do you call it a nuker when it’s an object aside from its function? [/QUOTE] I think fridge works because its very obvious what you’re talking about. The choices you have for shortening microwave aren’t like that. At least that’s my crackpot theory… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/54 "2007-11-07T16:39:10Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] I have never heard “mike” or “micro” used for a microwave in my life. I would also be looking for a microphone or perhaps a 1980’s style microcomputer laying around. Is this just a coincidence that the handful of people that use these terms for microwave belong to this board and stumbled upon this thread? My life includes a pretty broad U.S. regional sampling and I am finding it hard to believe people actually use those terms. Is there a single example from TV, radio, or other mass media that you might share? I have heard “nuker” and “zapper” however. I can bullshit on the others except when localized to very specific households and people in the U.S. However, I can believe there are those terms may be used in other countries. Here is the online definition for “Mike” and it doesn’t include any sort of microwave: > **[Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:Mike&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title)** Neither does “Micro” > **[Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:Micro&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title)** [/QUOTE] Anecodotally, I’ve heard “mike” used for microwaves quite commonly in the upper midwest, and not just in a few households but as the standard appelation for microwaves in restaurant kitchens[sup]\*[/sup] (where syllables are at a premium). I’ve never heard “micro” or “nuker,” but I have heard “nuke” as a verb. \*Sometimes restaurants use microwaves. Shh..don’t tell anybody. ---
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/55 "2007-11-07T16:55:42Z")
My favourite euphemism for microwave ovens is “[Radar Range](http://www.retro-housewife.com/images/cooking/1960/1968-amana-radar-range.jpg)”, though I also enjoy “the radiation station” and “the gigahertz box”. However, since I’ve moved to the Netherlands, I’ve adopted the Dutch word: “Magnetron” Mmm, delicious magnetron supper. (Note that basically nobody but me calls it ‘the radiation station’ or ‘the gigahertz box’ 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/56 "2007-11-07T17:07:23Z")
I’m now going to go by example from “other appliances” and “one-syllable phonetics for letters” and start calling them “M-dubs”. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/57 "2007-11-07T17:08:45Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] [Jockey box] is a new one on me. Any idea of why it is called that? [/QUOTE] No, but my Google-fu indicates: > [@The Word Detective](#): > > [A]“a ‘jockey box’ was a small locked box under the driver’s seat, used for storing tools, the driver’s own personal effects, or other valuables. As horse-drawn carriages were replaced by automobiles, the term ‘jockey box’ came to be applied to the glove box.” [Cite](http://www.word-detective.com/092205.html), way down at the bottom, under “And maps to places we’ll never go again.” It also indicates it’s mostly a Northwest regionalism, which is consistent with being used in western Montana. I’m interested to see that most of the Google hits indicate “jockey box” used to mean a beer cooler/dispenser, which is a usage I’m not familiar with at all. I’d also note, not that it matters, that in the usage I’m familiar with, the “jockey box” is _not_ the glove box (or glove compartment) in the dash; it’s a console box between the front seats. You commonly find these in cars now that most front seats are bucket seats, not benches, but when I was a kid and most cars had bench seats, you really only saw jockey boxes in pick-up trucks or four-wheel-drives (what would now be called “SUVs”). You know, the kind of 4WD you had to get out of and change the lugs in order to switch it from 2WD to 4WD. Jeez, I’m old. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/58 "2007-11-07T17:12:17Z")
[QUOTE=wolfstu] My favourite euphemism for microwave ovens is “[Radar Range](http://www.retro-housewife.com/images/cooking/1960/1968-amana-radar-range.jpg)” [/QUOTE] Of course _Radarange_ is really a tradename, just like _Mixmaster_ or _Frigidaire_. Love how the ad says **BAKE A POTATO IN “4” MINUTES** , implying this was true for very large values of 4. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/59 "2007-11-07T17:39:40Z")
[QUOTE=Spoons] Never heard “micro” or “mike.” We do, however, nuke food in the nuker. Or sometimes, and just for fun, the “nukerator.” 🆒 [/QUOTE] How about “nukebox”? We could probably get Foreigner to do a cover/reprise of their old hit for a GE commercial or something, “Nukebox Hero”. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497/60 "2007-11-07T17:43:19Z")
[QUOTE=robardin] How about “nukebox”? We could probably get Foreigner to do a cover/reprise of their old hit for a GE commercial or something, “Nukebox Hero”. [/QUOTE] Or Pat Benatar – “Put another burrito in the nukebox, baby!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-nickname-for-microwave/425497.md?page=4)