Word of the Day: XYL

Today’s Word of the Day salutes all the XYLs who “stand by their Ham.”

For many male Ham Radio operators, having a supportive, understanding, patient, and abundantly tolerant XYL is more important than equipping your shack with the best transceiver money can buy. XYL at one time meant a woman who did not have a Ham Radio license. Today, XYL refers to the wife of an Amateur Radio operator, as in, “We’d like you to be part of our month-long DXpedition to Greenland. Will your XYL be okay with this?” Not every spouse is thrilled by the abbreviation, so use it at your own peril.