channel-surf

[ chan-l-surf ]

/ ˈtʃæn lˌsɜrf /

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to change from one channel on a television set to another with great or unusual frequency, especially by using a remote control.

QUIZZES

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

An Americanism dating back to 1985–90

channel surfer, noun

People using it effectively opened a secret channel on an a public platform.
The Monsters Who Screamed for Dead Cops|Jacob Siegel|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They get $8 million to dredge the channel for pleasure boats to sail to Catalina Island.
Congress’ Gift That Keeps on Giving|P. J. O’Rourke|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The 2012 miniseries he co-starred in, Hatfields McCoys, was a ratings blockbuster for the History channel.
The Biggest Bombs of 2014: ‘Sex Tape,’ Mariah Carey’s Vocals, ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and More|Kevin Fallon|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I watch football, basketball, and hockey on TV and sometimes “The Bass Pros” on Outdoor Channel.
Up to a Point: They Made Me Write About Lena Dunham|P. J. O’Rourke|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It cropped up on a Kurdish channel and on a local German channel.
Dutch Biker Gangs Vs. ISIS|Nadette De Visser, Christopher Dickey|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is the will directing the activity of the intellect into some particular channel and keeping it there.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
The Intellect is‌ directed into a particular channel, but to keep it there, all intruders must be excluded.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
To guide his mind into the channel of the printed exposition, he calls into play the Directory power of the attention.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
Attention is the Will directing the Intellect into some particular channel and keeping it there.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
Attention is directing the intellect into some particular channel and keeping‌ it there.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)