To begin with, long time no think... last time I was here was in '03... forgive my absence. In the intervening time I have married and my new wife (of 3 months now) has a lot of questions about everyday phrases she's never heard, or is just curious about specific ones. Thinking immediately of AWAD, I have returned *waves to everyone looking, and most of those who aren't*.
Bringing me to the subject at hand... does anyone know the origin of the phrase "hold the phone"?

Reporters on the scene of developing events would say this to the copywriters on the other end of the phone in order to accommodate fast changing hot news events.

And events changed rapidly in b-grade movies back during the thirties.

Good to see you again, Ghost. I have nothing to add to Milum's post, sounds good to me. Don't stay away so long again!

I've never said this unless I wanted to get something and said to Hubby, "can you hold the phone while I go get a pen and pencil" or some such.

So not much help from this way. Just wanted to say welcome back.

Maybe from them early models where ear- and mouth piece were separate, so that instead of hanging (up) the receiver, you actually put down the whole phone.

I have used it when someone is rattling on with complaints, questions or - especially - misconceptions. Whether or not they are using the phone. e.g. "Hold the phone, I never said you were an idiot I just said I was surprised that you invested in that ski hill in Florida."

Hold your horses.

Now, wait just a cotton-pickin-minute.

... or one of my personal substitutes...

Ease up, Jimmy. (Everyone becomes a "Jimmy" in this usage)

"...just a cotton-pickin' minute there, Musky."

~Deputy Dawg