soundbyte or sound bite

A “sound bite” is a brief snippet of recorded speech, usually used in the context of news reporting. The term originated around 1980, long before the recording of such snippets on personal computers was common; so those who argue that the correct spelling is “sound byte” are mistaken.

Facebook Twitter Google +

• seam vs seem
• wreckless vs reckless
• stood vs stayed
• invested interest vs vested interest
• tooken vs took vs taken
• resign vs re-sign
• grill vs grille
• heal vs heel
• soar vs sore
• notate vs note

Definitions

---

• n  a very short speech; usually on radio or television

News & Articles

---

• Ron Howard mocks tweets
  Ron Howard, master narrator, can apparently turn any lame soundbyte of your internal monologue into the makings of a perfect/ridiculous TV show. In order to prove his secret skill, Howard used his "Arrested Development" voiceover style to read a pile of random tweets from the show's fans.
  June 18, 2013 - NBC NEWS

---

• Doc Rivers’ Saga Growing Tiresome, But Celtics Fans Must Be Careful as Coach’s Departure Would Cast Wide Net
  We get it. You’re hurt. Angry. Disgusted. Doc Rivers, the one coach in Boston’s four major sports who you thought would never do you wrong, who always drew up the right play with five seconds on the clock and could smile his way through a sound bite on anything, appears to be headed out — […]
  June 17, 2013 - New England Sports Network
• Candidate Who
  Bill Thompson has a natural base and surprising allies beyond it. Now he has to make peace with the sound bite.
  June 10, 2013 - New York Magazine