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Why “Hello” Became the Universal Telephone Greeting

Ever wondered why we say “hello” when answering the phone? The story begins with Alexander Graham Bell, “ahoy,” Thomas Edison and the rise of the telephone.

“Hello” seems like the most natural word to begin a telephone conversation, but it was not always the preferred greeting. Alexander Graham Bell reportedly favored **“ahoy”**, while Thomas Edison promoted **“hello”** for telephone use — and his choice eventually became the standard greeting used around the world.