Hello.
We say it all the time.
But when did it start?
The word “hello” is surprisingly young compared to many common English words.
Before the 1800s, people rarely used “hello” as a greeting. Instead, it was mainly an exclamation used to attract attention. Sort of like saying “Hey!”
Variations such as “halloo,” “hullo,” and “hollo” appeared in English for centuries and were often shouted during hunting or when calling to someone at a distance.
And these days? Well, our modern greeting “hello” became popular in the late 19th century. One reason was the invention of the telephone.
When people first started using phones, there was a debate about how calls should begin. Thomas Edison strongly favored “Hello!” as the standard telephone greeting. Meanwhile, Alexander Graham Bell preferred “Ahoy!”
I, for one, am glad that Edison’s preference won. I can’t really see myself saying “Ahoy” when I pick up.
The first telephone operators were often called “hello girls” because they frequently answered calls with “Hello.”
And now, we say it when we see our people. Our pals. Our good friends.
Hello, YOU.
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“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” — William Arthur Ward
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“A simple hello could lead to a million things.” — Rita Ora
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“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.” — Meister Eckhart
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“A friendly word is a small thing, but it is not a small thing.” — Marty Rubin
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