Tennessee Valley Indians

English

Etymology

Humorous alternative expansion of the initialism TVI.

Noun

Tennessee Valley Indians pl (plural only)

1. (CB radio slang) Interference with television signals, caused by CB radio.
   • 1957, Radio & Television News, volume 57, page 70:

     “I've been using the meter to chase Tennessee Valley Indians. That's what we hams call television interference connected in any way with an amateur station,” Barney went on in answer to Mac's questioning look.

   • 1963, CQ; the Radio Amateur's Journal, volume 19, numbers 1-6, page 87:

     First of a Series: Tvi (television interference, commonly referred to as "Tennessee Valley Indians") is certainly one of amateur radio's biggest problems.