Wi-Fi: Meaning – Why most people get it wrong

The term Wi-Fi is now often used in the German-speaking world instead of WLAN. However, many do not know what the meaning of the abbreviation is.

The true meaning of Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi has something to do with wireless internet access, which is why many think the “Wi” stands for “wireless”. Mainly because in Germany the term W-LAN is more common, in which the W actually abbreviates “wireless”.

• But Wi-Fi has no meaning of its own. Rather, it is modelled on the word Hi-Fi for “high fidelity”, which you may know from stereo equipment.
• Because the creators behind today’s Wi-Fi found the term Hi-Fi tonally pleasing, they named their company the “Wi-Fi Alliance. “
• Thus, Wi-Fi is a certified proper noun and means nothing more than Wi-Fi.
• The proper noun is used in the same way as Tempo for handkerchief or Labello for lip balm.
• In an interview with Boing Boing, one of the co-founders, Phil Belanger, explained back in 2005 that the word was not an acronym and therefore did not stand for “wireless” or anything similar.