doi, zece, doi, zece

Romanian

FWOTD – 28 February 2024

Etymology

Literally, “two ten two ten”.

Allegedly chosen for featuring low-frequency sounds through the word doi and high-frequency sounds through the word zece.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈdoj ˈze.t͡ʃe ˈdoj ˈze.t͡ʃe/

Interjection

doi, zece, doi, zece

1. testing, testing (phrase used to check sound systems)
   • 2013, chapter 12, in Sanda-Felicia Misirianțu, transl., Habarnam pe Lună [Dunno on the Moon]‎^[1], Bucharest: Humanitas Junior, translation of Незнайка на Луне [Neznajka na Lune] by Nikolay Nosov, →ISBN, page 155:

     Unul dintre ei ținea în mână un microfon în care bătea cu degetul și repeta, de parcă ar fi vorbit pe nas:
     ― Doi, zece! Doi, zece! Probă de microfon! Probă de microfon! Se aude? Se aude?

     One of them was holding a microphone on which he was tapping his finger and repeating, as if speaking through his nose: “Testing, testing! Mic check! Mic check! All clear? All clear?"

   • 2022, Maria Voicu, transl., O prietenie [A friendship]‎^[2], Bucharest: Nemira, translation of Un’amicizia by Silvia Avallone, →ISBN:

     La jumătatea serii, Christian s-a ridicat, s-a dus la claviatură și și-a dres vocea. A încercat microfonul:
     ― Doi, zece, doi, zece, probă de microfon.

     Halfway through the evening, Christian got up, went to the keyboard and cleared his throat. He tested the microphone: “Testing, testing, mic check.”