Have You Ever Wondered Why We Say ‘Hello’ On The Phone? The History Will Amaze You
Whenever we receive a call, the first word that slips out is "Hello." It’s such a natural response that we rarely pause to wonder why exactly we use this greeting. Yet, the familiar word we speak countless times a day has a fascinating history tied directly to the invention of the telephone.
Interestingly, "hello" was not originally intended for phone conversations. The word became standard only after a disagreement between two legendary inventors: Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. Bell had a different greeting in mind, but Edison’s suggestion ultimately won the world over.
Let’s discover how this everyday expression became the universal way to start a phone conversation.
How ‘Hello’ Began
Before telephones existed, people didn’t use the word "hello" as a polite greeting. Instead, expressions like "hallo" or "hullo" were used to call out to someone from a distance, more like shouting “Are you there?” or “Hey!”
When Bell introduced the telephone in 1876, a standard way to initiate a call was needed. Bell preferred saying "Ahoy!", a term popular among sailors when signalling ships. But Edison stepped in and argued that "Hello" would be a more suitable option.
Edison’s Role in Making ‘Hello’ Universal
By 1880, one of the earliest telephone directories included instructions encouraging users to start calls with "Hello." That marked the beginning of what we now know as proper phone manners. Over time, "Hello" moved beyond telephone conversations and became a friendly everyday greeting around the world.
Fun Facts About “Hello”
Interestingly, "hello" was not originally intended for phone conversations. The word became standard only after a disagreement between two legendary inventors: Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. Bell had a different greeting in mind, but Edison’s suggestion ultimately won the world over.
Let’s discover how this everyday expression became the universal way to start a phone conversation.
How ‘Hello’ Began
Before telephones existed, people didn’t use the word "hello" as a polite greeting. Instead, expressions like "hallo" or "hullo" were used to call out to someone from a distance, more like shouting “Are you there?” or “Hey!”
When Bell introduced the telephone in 1876, a standard way to initiate a call was needed. Bell preferred saying "Ahoy!", a term popular among sailors when signalling ships. But Edison stepped in and argued that "Hello" would be a more suitable option.
Edison’s Role in Making ‘Hello’ Universal
By 1880, one of the earliest telephone directories included instructions encouraging users to start calls with "Hello." That marked the beginning of what we now know as proper phone manners. Over time, "Hello" moved beyond telephone conversations and became a friendly everyday greeting around the world.
Fun Facts About “Hello”
- The earliest known appearance of the word “Hello” dates back to the 1820s.
- Thomas Edison played a huge part in promoting the greeting for telephone use.
- Despite Bell’s efforts, his preferred greeting "Ahoy" never became popular.
- Today, “Hello” is recognised globally and appears in many languages in more than 100 countries.
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