We say "hello" on the phone primarily because it was included as a recommended greeting in the first telephone books as a way to begin conversations.
The History of "Hello" on the Phone
The prevalence of "hello" as the standard telephone greeting is largely attributed to Alexander Graham Bell and the early days of telephone communication. Here's a breakdown:
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Early Telephone Books: The initial telephone directories contained a "How-to" section that explicitly suggested using "hello" to initiate calls.
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Bell's Preference: Alexander Graham Bell championed the use of "ahoy" as a greeting, but "hello" eventually won out.
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Versatility of "Hello": One of the main reasons "hello" became dominant is its adaptability in various contexts. It served as both a greeting and a way to get someone's attention.
Therefore, the established convention of using "hello" on the phone resulted from a combination of early instructional materials and its practical advantages as a versatile greeting.
