Hullo! What a useful invention

When you consider the concept of inventions, anything from the wheel to the iPod might spring to mind. You’re probably less likely to think of a word, particularly not one you may take so completely for granted as ‘hello’.

Yet it is believed to be just that – the invention of Thomas Edison. He is credited with advocating ‘hello’ as the best way of answering the telephone, from where it gradually moved into the general use it has today.

It may be more accurate to say, he adapted and perfected a pre-existing invention (much as he did with the electric light bulb).

Before Edison’s influence, you might merely have exclaimed ‘hullo!’ in surprise, hailed a ferryman with a resounding ‘hollo’, or even led a hunting party to their quarry by crying ‘halloo’. (If you were in the habit of doing these things.)

Of course, words frequently enter the language through utter invention. Shakespeare coined an incredible 2,000 or so new words, including ‘jaded’, ‘bedroom’ and ‘obscene’; plus numerous phrases we now take for granted, such as ‘vanish into thin air’, ‘flesh and blood’ and ‘to be cruel to be kind’.

Edison’s choice of answering utterance was based on its clarity – and for that sentiment we naturally approve. And that’s not the only call for us to owe him a debt of gratitude. Had it been left to Alexander Graham Bell, our typical salutation could well be ‘ahoy’.

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Author: Catie Holdridge

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Catie joined Emphasis with an English literature and creative writing degree and a keen interest in what makes language work. Having researched, written, commissioned and edited dozens of articles for the Emphasis blog, she now knows more about the intricacies of effective professional writing than she ever thought possible.

She produced and co-wrote our online training programme, The Complete Business Writer, and these days oversees all the Emphasis marketing efforts. And she keeps office repartee at a suitably literary level.