You Don't Know What We Say

My friend Dave Kessler, over at "Cathedral Voice" (http://dkessler.blogspot.com/) just blogged about kitchen lingo, something he knows much about. Those of us in broadcasting have our own language, as do those in every profession. Here are a few examples:

-Backtime: To start something so that it will end at a desired time.
-Deadroll: Having backtimed something, to keep the volume at zero until a previous event is finished and then bringing it up.
-Kill: To end something abruptly.
-TFN: Running, for instance, an announcement "Till Further Notice."
-Network Join: Leaving your program to join your network, usually for news.
-Slapping the net: More or less, a high-powered end of program that joins the network without a moment's pause.
-System cue: The way a network indicates it has finished its "feed." The CBS "eye" is an example of a system cue.
-Ducker: An electronic device that automatically reduces the volume of whatever is playing when you start speaking.
-Roll it under: To manually reduce the volume of something when an announcer or other person is about to speak.
-Donut: Recorded announcement (open and close) with silent section in the middle for live announcer to fill with local information.
-Fill: Do something, anything, to fill spare time.
-Since Jesus (or Moses) did weekends: A long time ago.
-Crossed index and middle fingers: 30 seconds left.
-Two fingers against index finger: 15 seconds left.