toaster
nounUK /ˈtəʊ̯s.təː/ · /ˈtoʊ̯s.tɚ/
Etymology From toast + -er (agent noun suffix) or -er (patient suffix).
15 senses
- 1An electrical device for toasting food, typically sliced bread.
- 2A toasting fork.
- 3A fish ready for toasting.
- 4One who toasts (cooks lightly by browning).
- 5One who toasts (engages in salute while drinking alcohol).
- 6A firearm, especially a pistol.
- 7A rapier or similar weapon.
- 8Any of several small, box-like automobiles exemplified…
- 9An electronic organ, especially a crude one that uses…
- 10A low-end or outdated personal computer.
- 11A protogen.
- 12A self-contained software package distributable over the…
- 13A disc jockey who accompanies reggae music with…
- 14Diesel locomotives built by GE Transportation known for…
- 15An EMD AEM-7 electric locomotive
An electrical device for toasting food, typically sliced bread.
- “Imagine this,” says an advertising consultant named Barry Lowenthal. “I’m a smart toaster, and I’m collecting data on how many times the toaster is used.” […] There are, of course, smart speakers (which roughly a quarter of American homes have) and smart thermostats, as well as smart thermometers, smart mattress covers, smart coffee makers, smart doorbells, and even, yes, smart toasters.2018 December 18, Joe Pinsker, “The Coming Commodification of Life at Home”, in The Atlantic, archived from the original on 25 Jan 2019:
A toasting fork.
Archaic A fish ready for toasting.
- [T]he tumult of the thousand different cries of the eager dealers, all shouting at the top of their voices, at one and the same time, is almost bewildering. […] "Come and look at 'em! here's toasters!" bellows one with a Yarmouth bloater stuck on a toasting-fork.1851, Henry Mayhew, “The London Street Markets on a Saturday Night”, in London Labour and the London Poor; […], volume I (The London Street-folk. Book the First.), London: [George Woodfall], →OCLC, page 9, column 2:
One who toasts (cooks lightly by browning).
One who toasts (engages in salute while drinking alcohol).
- The renegade, you been afraid I penetrate pop culture / Bring 'em a lot closer to the block where they pop toasters2001, “Renegade”, in The Blueprint, performed by Jay-Z ft. Eminem:
- This attitude, and the sight of the blade which glistened by moonlight in his face, checked in some sort, the ardour of his assailant, who desired he would lay aside his toaster, and take a bout with him at equal arms.1751, [Tobias] Smollett, chapter 27, in The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volume I, London: Harrison and Co., […], →OCLC:
Automotive, Transport, Vehicles Derogatory, Informal Any of several small, box-like automobiles exemplified by the Scion xB and Honda Element.
Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music Derogatory, Informal An electronic organ, especially a crude one that uses analog technology.
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences Humorous A low-end or outdated personal computer.
- For most older computers (pre-486 and even some 486s), it's simply easier to throw them away and start over (and cheaper, too). I know; this probably goes against the grain; after all, you hung onto that old toaster for three years, and now it makes a darn good doorstop.2000, Jennifer Fulton, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Upgrading and Repairing PCs, Alpha Books, →ISBN, page 15:
- On the technical side, we had only the old “toaster” Macintosh computers as our environment (only black and white and 512 by 480 screen resolution) and a variety of IBM PCs or equivalents.2005, Clark N. Quinn, Engaging Learning: Designing e-Learning Simulation Games, John Wiley & Sons, →ISBN, page 65:
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences Slang, Uncommon A self-contained software package distributable over the Internet or by burning onto CDs.
- The Freedom Toaster was developed with backing from Mark Shuttleworth as a vending-machine-style dispenser of free digital products, including Ubuntu Linux.2008, Michael Jang, Ubuntu Certified Professional Study Guide, McGraw Hill Professional, →ISBN, page 9:
Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music A disc jockey who accompanies reggae music with improvised rhythmic speech.
Rail transport, Railways, Transport US, Derogatory, Informal Diesel locomotives built by GE Transportation known for a propensity to catch fire, especially those showing previous fire damage.
- No. 4020 shows off the aftereffects of the GE “toaster” phenomenon as it runs on the Joint Line north of the Air Force Academy (7/02/2023).2023 July 2, Jim Griffin, “BNSF GE Power”, in ActionRoad.net:
- Railfans often call GE Dash-9s as "toasters" which certainly applies to this locomotive.2020 December 13, containerman2, “A GE "Toaster" Leads CN Train 406 West at Boundary Creek, NB on a Nice Sunny Afternoon”, in YouTube:
1 more example
- IIRC, it's usually a toaster (GE).2007 October 1, tree68, “Fire out the stack”, in Trains Forums:
Rail transport, Railways, Transport US, Informal An EMD AEM-7 electric locomotive
- The origin of the design led railroaders to dub the units “meatballs,” and its boxy appearance inspired railfans to call them “toasters.”2018 March 29, Eric Berger, “Amtrak AEM-7 Preserved at Illinois Railway Museum”, in Railfan & Railroad:
- Sometimes affectionately referred to as “toasters” and “Swedish meatballs” due to their compact, boxy design and Swedish origins, the AEM-7s first entered service in May 1980 and since then have traveled more than 220 million miles.2016 June 20, “A Fond Farewell to the AEM-7”, in Amtrak: History of America's Railroad, archived from the original on 03 Dec 2022:
- Derived terms
- toasterless, toasterlike, toaster oven
- Related terms
- toast, toasted, tea and toaster