Green’s Dictionary of Slang

ether n.

fig. use for communication through the radio or the wireless.

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[UK]J.B. Priestley Good Companions 241: ‘Catchy stuff, very catchy stuff, and new to me. Where did you pick ’em up?’ ‘Out of the ether.’ ‘Ah, I never bother with this wireless myself.’.

In compounds

ether box (n.)

(US black) a radio.

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[US]Pittsburgh Courier (PA) 25 Nov. 7/1: After taking a gapper through your spiel in the Smoky City Fourth estate, I’m stached in my niche in this doss joint diggin’ the ether box.