He there had some champagne-perhaps three glasses it was difficult to say exactly … When he entered his car he remembered using the ignition key and after that there was a “black out” for nearly an hour. Perhaps coincidentally, at about the same time that we see written evidence of blackout in the sense of ‘the lights went out again,’ we also see evidence of the word in the sense of “a transient dulling or loss of vision, consciousness, or memory” (many of the early uses of this word appear to have been prompted by the afflicted party consuming a significant amount of alcohol). When the first “black out” occurred the automatic switchgear came into operation and “cutout” large sections-a necessary precaution to prevent accidents at the power station. The “black-out” was caused by a flash of lightning striking the high tension wires in Station Street between Leewpoort and Commissioner Streets and bringing down the overhead feeders and netting guard. The central area of Boksburg was in complete darkness for almost two hours last night. There was a “black out” of the electric light, which for some time added to the general uneasiness. The blackout we all dread in the summer (“an action of blacking out, as through the interruption of electrical power, an object or area”) came about in the early 20th century, shortly after we all began having enough electricity to strain a power grid. But what if there’s a blackout? Then you are stuck in a quiet dark room with no air conditioning, wondering about things such as ‘where does the word blackout come from?’ We’re so glad you asked. These estival hardships are usually offset by the ability to sit in a quiet dark room with the air conditioning on. Summer is once again upon us, stomping about itchily and bringing with it the usual myriad of indignities (heat, sunburn, people who insist that the beach is enjoyable). If there's ice cream in the fridge, eat that first.
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