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Kooyeen Posted 19 years ago
Vocabulary

Wiretap

Hi,
could somebody tell me how to use the verb "wiretap"?
You wiretap phones, you wiretap calls... but can you also wiretap information that isn't sent through wires? Like wiretapping radio communications, etc.?
Can I use the verb "intercept" in the same way? Also, is the verb "tap" used in AmE?

Thanks Emotion: smile
  

Top answer

By extension, you can wiretap radio communications, but technically it's not correct, of course. Intercept is the more general word. It can safely be used for both telephone (with wires) and radio (without wires).

— CalifJim

  • By extension, you can wiretap radio communications, but technically it's not correct, of course.
  • Intercept is the more general word.
  • It can safely be used for both telephone (with wires) and radio (without wires).
  • The verb tap is certainly used in AmE.
  • Tapping maple trees is the first thing that comes to mind.
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4 Answers
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By extension, you can wiretap radio communications, but technically it's not correct, of course.
Intercept is the more general word. It can safely be used for both telephone (with wires) and radio (without wires).

The verb tap is certainly used in AmE. Tapping maple trees is the first thing that comes to mind. See tap (transitive) at www.m-w.com.

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Thanks!
Actually, I was asking if "tap" could be used instead of "wiretap", with a more general mening. I'm afraid it's BrE though...
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No, it's definitely used. The phones are tapped sounds quite normal. Well, not normal, because I don't live in a spy novel, but normal to the ear.
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