The provided reference does not state who invented "hi." Instead, it explains the shift from "hello" to "hi" and credits Thomas Edison with popularizing the use of "hello," which eventually evolved into "hi."
Here's a breakdown of how the word "hi" likely came into use:
- The Role of Hello: Before telephones, "hello" wasn't common. Thomas Edison promoted its use as a phone greeting.
- "Ahoy" as an Alternative: Alexander Graham Bell, Edison's rival, preferred "ahoy," which was used at sea.
- Hello Becomes Common: Edison's push made "hello" the standard greeting when answering a call.
- The Evolution to "Hi": Over time, "hello" was shortened to the informal greeting "hi."
While no single person invented "hi", its use as a greeting came about because of how "hello" evolved.
| Greeting | Associated Figure | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Thomas Edison | Standard phone greeting |
| Ahoy | Alexander G. Bell | Alternative phone greeting, used at sea |
| Hi | None specific | Shortened form of Hello |
It's also important to note that language evolves naturally. There isn't always an inventor to attribute new words and phrases to. The shortened form of "hello" to "hi" is a natural and common linguistic process.
