dj
Word family
- disc jockeynounB1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
The abbreviation 'dj' is by far the most common term in everyday speech and writing. 'Disc jockey' is the full original form, now considered formal or old-fashioned outside of legal or historical contexts. 'Selector' is a newer, informal term from dance-music culture that emphasizes the skill of choosing tracks rather than the job of playing them; it is narrower and less widely understood by general audiences. 'Radio host' overlaps only partially—a radio host may talk between songs but does not necessarily curate the music. For example, a club performer is best called a 'dj' in casual conversation and a 'disc jockey' in a news article, while someone who only plays pre-made playlists would not be called a 'selector'.
Common collocations
Etymology
The abbreviation 'DJ' originates from two independent sources. The older sense—'disc jockey'—was coined in the 1930s by American radio commentator Walter Winchell, who likened radio personalities playing records to horse-racing jockeys. The clothing sense—'dinner jacket' or 'DJ'—dates to late 19th-century Britain, where the shortened form emerged as informal shorthand. Over time, the music-related 'DJ' overtook the clothing sense in global frequency, especially with the rise of club culture in the 1970s and 1980s.