THE REAL MEANING BEHIND AC/DC'S NAME
By PAULI POISUO
History - Science
While even Encyclopedia Britannica might be unsure whether AC/DC is heavy metal or rock 'n' roll, their unchanging, well-crafted sound has stood the test of time since the 1970s. The most curious thing about the band that has been fronted by singers ranging from Bon Scott to Brian Johnson is their name — What does it really mean?
The band’s name is an abbreviation of "Alternating Current/Direct Current," meaning that the electrical device in question can use both types of power. Mark Beech writes that AC/DC guitarists Angus and Malcolm Young spotted the letters on a household appliance and filed them under "cool band names," since it was the perfect summation of the band's energy.
Unbeknownst to the band, however, “AC/DC” was also slang for bisexuality, and while the band would initially deny their band name had any sexual undertones, they eventually just rolled with it. They even got a few extra gigs because of their name, getting booked to play at several "gay-themed events," according to Martin Huxley’s book about them.