The word “hello” has become a part of our everyday life as a standard greeting for phone calls, but few people think about where it came from and why it became the basis of telephone etiquette.
URA-Inform reports this with reference to NexPress.
The First Telephones and the Birth of Telephone Etiquette
The history of the word “hello” is inextricably linked with the invention of the telephone. In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell introduced the world to the first telephone, which allowed voice transmission over a distance. However, the question then arose: what word to use to start a conversation?
Initially, Bell suggested using the nautical greeting “ahoy”, which ship captains used to address each other. He believed that this word would be perfect for telephone communication, since it was easy to hear and understand. However, the idea did not catch on and was soon forgotten.
Thomas Edison and the emergence of the word “hello”
Along with Bell, another famous inventor, Thomas Edison, was working on the development of communications. It was he who came up with the idea of using the word “hello” as a standard greeting for phone calls. At that time, “hello” was already a popular form of address in English-speaking countries, and Edison believed that it would be ideal for the new technology.
Soon, this word became the main option for a telephone greeting and began to be actively used in the United States and other countries.
French adaptation: from “hello” to “allô”
France did not remain aloof from the new telephone etiquette, but instead of the English “hello” they began to use the word “allô”, which turned out to be more convenient to pronounce in French. This variant spread to many countries, including Ukraine and Russia, where it also became part of everyday telephone communication.
Why did “hello” become so popular?
There are several reasons why “hello” has become firmly entrenched in telephone culture:
Simplicity and convenience
“Hello” is a short, easy-to-pronounce word that does not require much effort to articulate. Even with a poor connection, it can be easily understood.
Confirmation function
The word “hello” signals to the interlocutor that the connection is established and the person is ready to start the conversation.
Universality
“Hello” has become an international greeting understood in many countries around the world. It requires virtually no translation and is perceived the same way in different cultures.
The myth of the connection between the word “hello” and Bell's wife
There is an interesting, though unconfirmed, version that the word “hello” could be associated with Alexander Bell's wife, Maybelle Hubbard. According to one legend, Bell allegedly used something similar to “hello” during telephone conversations with her. However, there is no historical evidence for this theory, and it remains at the level of speculation.
Why is “hello” still relevant today?
Despite the fact that communication technologies have changed significantly since the end of the 19th century, the tradition of using “hello” at the beginning of a telephone conversation has remained. Even with the advent of mobile phones and Internet communications, new generations continue to use this word.
The reasons for this lie in:
Cultural continuity.
“Hello” has become part of the cultural heritage passed down from generation to generation.
Simplicity and familiarity.
People automatically pronounce this word when answering a call, without thinking about its meaning.
Symbolic meaning.
“Hello” symbolizes the beginning of communication and signals readiness to talk.
Conclusion
The word “hello” has a rich history associated with the first telephones and the development of telephone etiquette. And although its use was initially a practical solution, today it has become part of everyday culture. Even if the version of the connection between this word and Bell's wife remains just a myth, “hello” continues to fulfill its role, helping millions of people around the world to start conversations.
Such a simple and familiar word remains an invariable companion of telephone communication, maintaining its position even in the era of digital technologies.
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