The telephone has been an important means of communication for over a century. As with any widely used technology, colorful slang terms have developed for the telephone in countries around the world. In England, there are a number of slang terms used to refer to the telephone in casual conversation. Some are commonly used across England, while others are more regional. Understanding the origins and meanings of English telephone slang can provide insight into British culture and the evolution of language.
Common Slang Terms for Telephone in England
Some of the most common slang terms for telephone used in England include:
- Blower – Referring to the telephone as a ‘blower’ dates back to the early 20th century when telephones had a mouthpiece into which the speaker would literally blow to transmit their voice. The term is still widely used, especially in London.
- Dog and bone – Rhyming slang was a source of many colorful British slang terms, including ‘dog and bone’ meaning phone. The ‘dog’ rhymes with ‘log’ for ‘log of wood’ and ‘bone’ rhymes with ‘phone’.
- Mobile – While ‘mobile’ is now standard terminology for a cellular phone, it originated as slang in the UK for a portable telephone compared to a fixed landline phone.
- Tele – Short for telephone, ‘tele’ is commonly used, as in “Give me a ring on the tele later.”
- Telly – More associated with television, ‘telly’ is sometimes used to also mean telephone.
Some other common alternatives for telephone in British slang are ‘bumble’, ‘yakker’, ‘natter’, ‘chatterbox’, and ‘gob iron’.
Regional Slang Terms for Telephone
Beyond the common slang, there are also many regionally specific terms for telephone used in different parts of England:
Northern England
- Wire – Referring to the telephone wire, this term is common in northern counties like Lancashire.
- Phone-up – “Give us a phone-up later” is a request to call someone, widely used in Yorkshire and the north east.
- Set – In parts of northern England like Durham, the telephone is sometimes called the ‘set’, short for telephone set.
Midlands
- Go-box – An antiquated term used in the West Midlands for a public telephone box where people would ‘go’ to make a call.
- Yelly-box – Slang for a phone box in Nottinghamshire, referencing the need to talk loudly into early public telephones.
- Pigeon – Unexpectedly, ‘pigeon’ is slang for phone in parts of the West Midlands because carrier pigeons delivered messages, similar to a telephone.
South England
- Wassappar – Derived from ‘What’s up there’, this is how some in London and surrounding areas refer to the telephone.
- Bell – Referencing the ringing bell on early telephones, some in southern counties still say they need to ‘give the bell a ding.’
- Trumpet – Old slang from London referencing the sound amplification function and mouthpiece shape of early telephones.
Southwest England
- Dangleberry – An old term from the Bristol and Gloucestershire region referring to the telephone receiver dangling from its cord.
- Yakkity – Slang in Devon and Cornwall meaning ‘talk’ and referencing the chatter heard over the telephone.
- Wobbler – From Somerset and Dorset, referring to the phone shaking on its hook when ringing.
Origins of British Telephone Slang
The rich variety of British slang terms for the telephone arose from several factors over the decades:
- Purposeful Rhyming – Rhyming slang like ‘dog and bone’ was intentionally invented by Cockneys and adopted widely.
- Similar Sounds – Some terms like ‘trumpet’ arose from the sounds of early telephones.
- Descriptive Language – Phrases like ‘go-box’ and ‘yelly-box’ described telephone boxes and their use.
- Regional Differences – Isolation and local culture led regions to create their own terminology.
- Technological Advances – New developments like mobile phones led to new slang like ‘mobile’.
Tracing the origins and meanings of the slang provides a window into both the technological history of the telephone and the innovative linguistic culture in England.
Changes Over Time
Telephone slang in England has evolved significantly over the last century:
- Peak in the 1950s-60s – The postwar period saw a rapid growth of telephone slang across England’s regions.
- Stabilization in the 1980s-90s – Widespread telephone access led to common nationwide slang usage.
- Decline in the 2000s – Mobiles and social media drew attention away from household landlines.
- Revival in the 2010s – Retro appeal and television shows rekindled interest in nostalgic telephone slang.
While lack of landline use has reduced telephone slang, mobiles opened the door for texting abbreviations and emojis as new forms of technology-driven linguistics. Slang endures as a creative outlet for linguistic expression.
Comparison to American Telephone Slang
There are some notable differences between British and American slang for the telephone:
| British | American |
|---|---|
| Blower | Horn |
| Dog and bone | Shoestring |
| Mobile | Cell |
| Telly | Tube |
While rhyming slang was popular in England, the United States saw more slang derived from contemporary brand names like Ma Bell and Bell tone. Overall, British slang is more colorful and imaginative, while American slang is more literal and utilitarian. However, both reflect the cultures’ humor and creativity.
Usage in Literature and Media
Telephone slang has appeared in English literature and media over the decades:
- Sherlock Holmes stories used ‘telephone’ suggesting it was still a new term in the late 1800s.
- Noel Coward’s 1930’s plays had characters ask “Are you on the telephone?” using the new slang ‘are you on’.
- Agatha Christie’s 1940 mystery novels had upper-class characters say “please ring me up tomorrow”.
- The Beatles sang “…call me on my phone…” using ‘phone’ as slang in their 1967 song “When I’m Sixty-Four”.
- Hollywood films and BBC shows in the 1960s-70s featured telephone boxes known as ‘police boxes’.
Pop culture references spread certain telephone slang into wider public consciousness and cemented their place in England’s linguistic history.
Conclusion
From ‘dog and bone’ to ‘mobile’, the colorful slang terminology for the telephone in England provides an insightful lens into both the country’s regional cultures and its embrace of new technology over time. As telephones evolved from noisy curiosities to ubiquitous appliances, the lexicon of English language expanded with creative new expressions. Telephone slang stands as both practical shorthand in casual speech and as a form of artistry capturing British innovation and wit. Whether ringing someone up for a chinwag or just giving the bell a ding, the telephone remains an important channel for communication, and Brits flavor that human connection by using fun and evocative slang.