Today’s Question: Why Do We Say “Hello” When Picking Up the Phone? The Graham Bell Girlfriend Myth Debunked

Have you ever wondered why we say “hello” as soon as we pick up the phone? Contrary to popular myths circulating online, the word “hello” was not named after Alexander Graham Bell’s girlfriend. In fact, it was Thomas Alva Edison, not Bell, who recommended it as the standard telephone greeting.

Graham Bell Preferred “Ahoy”
Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, initially wanted people to say “Ahoy” when answering calls. The word was traditionally used by sailors to grab attention across long distances, and Bell believed it would work perfectly for the telephone.

Edison Introduced “Hello”
It was Thomas Edison who suggested using “hello” as the standard greeting. In 1877, Edison wrote to the president of a telegraph company in Pittsburgh, recommending that “hello” be adopted for starting phone conversations. Edison argued that the word could be clearly heard over long telephone lines, while “Ahoy” was less effective.

The Girlfriend Myth Is False
A widely circulated story claims that “hello” comes from the name of Bell’s girlfriend, allegedly “Margaret Hello.” Historically, this is false. Bell’s wife was Mabel Hubbard, and there is no historical evidence linking the word “hello” to any romantic connection.

In Summary
The next time you pick up the phone and say “hello,” remember: the word was chosen for clarity and audibility by Edison, not as a tribute to Graham Bell’s love life. The myth of a romantic origin is just that—a myth.