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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 43
newbie
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OP
newbie
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 43 |
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"?
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529
veteran
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veteran
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529 |
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.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
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!
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891 |
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.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
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.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154 |
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."
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661 |
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)
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788 |
"...just a cotton-pickin' minute there, Musky."
~Deputy Dawg
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