[f. CABLE sb. + -GRAM, by superficial analogy with TELEGRAM; (in which both elements are Greek). (The substitution of CALOGRAM has been vainly urged by various writers.)] A message sent by submarine telegraph cable.
1868. Daily News, 26 Sept., 5/4. The new word cablegram is used by a New York contemporary to characterise a telegraphic despatch.
1873. G. F. Train, in Times, 12 June, 9/6 (D.). This libel appears in your journal as a cablegram:—‘New York, 20th.—George Francis Train has been sent to a lunatic asylum.’
1879. Lett., in Daily News, 14 Oct., 6/2. If there is any necessity for a word to distinguish a telegram sent by cable from one sent otherwise I would suggest that the word ‘Calogram’ be used in the place of ‘Cablegram.’
1880. Athenæum, No. 2764. 503/2. A cablegram has been received also from America, announcing the discovery of a ‘large comet’ by Mr. Lewis Swift.
1883. High Commiss. of Canada, in Times, 13 Aug., 8/2. It may interest your association to be made acquainted with the following cablegram.
