Talk:on air

RFV discussion: September–October 2021
RFV sense "In the process of recording". I suppose it seems feasible, but have not been able to actually find examples. Note that this definition was previously at "on the air", but I have consolidated everything at "on air". I can't imagine this makes a difference, but just in case. Mihia (talk) 17:38, 14 September 2021 (UTC)
 * I would expect at least senses 1 and 2 to be at on the air at least in US English. I'm not sure about sense 3, but it seems more likely there. DCDuring (talk) 18:19, 14 September 2021 (UTC)
 * Oh really? I wonder if we need some regional labelling here then. To me, "on air" is just as good, perhaps even slightly more familiar, for both senses 1 and 2. Although I don't really know sense 3, the same would be true if it exists. However, since "on the air" is also good in BrE, I wonder if I should just put the main content back at "on the air", and label the "on air" broadcasting sense as a "chiefly British" variant. What do you (or anyone else) think? Mihia (talk) 19:36, 14 September 2021 (UTC)
 * Also, what is your perception of "on-air" before a noun, e.g. "an on-air interview" (which is fine in BrE). Is this normal in AmE? Or would you say "an on-the-air interview"? Mihia (talk) 20:03, 14 September 2021 (UTC)
 * I have cited senses one and two, but I am dubious about "on air" meaning "in the process of recording". Perhaps the editor who added this was confused by the on-air light in a live production studio? Kiwima (talk) 05:10, 15 September 2021 (UTC)
 * What is your perception of "on air" versus "on the air" for senses #1 and #2 (and #3 if it exists)? Does one seem significantly more usual/natural to you? Mihia (talk) 17:14, 15 September 2021 (UTC)
 * On-air seems fine to me; on-the-air OK, but cumbersome. DCDuring (talk) 18:09, 15 September 2021 (UTC)
 * I think the two "on air" and "on the air" are synonyms. I have certainly heard both, and could probably find citations for "on the air" if necessary. Kiwima (talk) 18:57, 15 September 2021 (UTC)
 * Thanks, I think I'll leave the main entry at "on air" for now and "on the air" as "synonym of", but if anyone definitely wants it the other way around then please go ahead. Mihia (talk) 21:07, 15 September 2021 (UTC)
 * In fact, the more I think about these definitions of "on air", the more perplexing it becomes, e.g. as to how/where to accommodate e.g. "We can't put him on air", or whether "Channel 9 will be on air" is a different sense from "such and such a show will be on air" as presently implied, and other matters. However, I don't think this affects the present RFV even if I reorganise, or I may raise these issues later at the Tea Room if I can't figure it out. Mihia (talk) 21:06, 16 September 2021 (UTC)

RFV-failed Kiwima (talk) 20:51, 15 October 2021 (UTC)