Halfalogue -- More than an Annoying Neologism

Did you hear about the Cornell University researchers who asked people to take a series of tests?

No, I didn't. What kind of tests?

The kind of tests doesn't matter, it's what the people had to listen to while they were doing the tests.

You mean like Beethoven instead of Slipknot or something like that?

No, it wasn't about music. There were four different types of sound: silence, a monologue, a two-person conversation, and a one-sided conversation, like you might hear when someone talks on a cellphone. That's where the term "halfalogue" comes in.

And they found out what about this?

The halfalogue was the only noise that lowered their test scores.

That is so true!

I know. Now I'll be even more irritated when I'm forced to listen to one.
_________

Originally from a story in the Los Angeles Times; more details here.