Definition of sign off

The phrase "sign off" derives from the early days of radio broadcasting, when announcers had to literally sign their name or initials at the end of a show as a legal requirement. This was necessary to assert their identity and prevent others from pretending to be them or hijacking their broadcast. In the 1920s, announcers were required to include their name and location in every broadcast. Although this regulation was eventually relaxed, the "sign off" tradition remained, transforming into a courtesy and a symbolic way of indicating the end of a program. They would finish their production by saying something like, "This is (name), (location) signing off until next time." This practice evolved to become a standard closing ritual for various other mediums, including television and email communications. In contemporary use, "sign off" has a broader meaning, referring to the closure of any communication, whether it's a radio show, a podcast, or a video game session. The expression has now become a widely recognized phrase, synonymous with bringing a program or conversation to a close.