# Should there be a new word/ name for mobile phones? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 25, 2025, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384 "2025-01-25T16:42:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/41 "2025-01-26T03:47:13Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > While it’s true that smartphones do plenty of other things besides make telephone calls, they _do_ do that, and they’re—well, not the _only_ device that does so, as long as landlines and simple “dumb” cell phones still exist, but they’re the only devices that many people use for that purpose when they _do_ “talk on the phone.” Nah, IP phones have been around for quite some time, and you can use a softphone on pretty much any computer. In fact, my company used to provide me with an IP desk phone. Now they just expect me to use the software one on my laptop or the software one on my much smaller portable computer. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/42 "2025-01-26T04:46:00Z")
Trekky. I like it. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/43 "2025-01-26T11:33:30Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > > [@Chronos](#): > > > > What we actually need a new word for is those antique devices that don’t do anything but voice calls > > Landline. (I corrected the Discourse coding glitch in @sciurophobic’s original quotation of @Chronos.) Excellent point there. We have indeed, and with little fanfare, popularized a new word for the original wired dumb telephone. One which calls out its inherent limitations versus the modern “phone” which really now mostly means smartphone. Which limitations include fixed location and that it’s not SMS = text message capable. Both of which are important limitations your counterparty needs to know to communicate with you / it successfully. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/44 "2025-01-26T13:49:09Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Which limitations include fixed location and that it’s not SMS = text message capable. I did once get a machine-translated SMS to speech message on my landline. I was a bit confused, because after the message proper it said “recipe”. I eventually realised that it had come from a female friend with the initial R who was in the habit of signing off with an “x”. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/45 "2025-01-26T13:59:52Z")
To answer the OP simply: No, there’s shouldn’t be a new word. The old word does fine in English. Or call it a “mobile” or “cell.” I use both those terms as well. I’m aware of “handy” in parts of non-English speaking Europe, but that has an unfortunate other meaning in at least US English. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/46 "2025-01-26T14:17:44Z")
> [@motu](#): > > How 'bout Petey, your **P** ersonal **T** racker I don’t know what LSLGuy will say about this, but unless there is some way to manifest a cute and cuddly yet sometimes utterly, actively hostile and murderous teddy bear, sometimes with a God Complex, as the primary mode of interacting with the device, I will have to protest in grave dissatisfaction and disappointment. I have a fōn, which is a handheld bit of multipurpose electronics that fits, more or less, in my pocket. I have a device at work that is used primarily for logging into various time and activity tracking programs, recording photos, and communicating via email. It does not make phone calls even though it could be made to do so with a subscription to a provider of that service. It will make emergency services phone calls to summon police fire and ambulance services to my location. I don’t call my work device anything but device. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/47 "2025-01-26T14:46:57Z")
We already have a word for it, it’s called a phone. No need to make up stupid cutesy terms. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/48 "2025-01-26T17:30:19Z")
I once heard a smartphone referred to as an “electronic leash”. I believe that the original usage referred to the fact that it allowed anyone, such as your employer, your partner, your parents, your children, etc to contact you at any time no matter where you were. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/49 "2025-01-26T17:33:44Z")
> [@DorkVader](#): > > I don’t know what LSLGuy will say about this, but unless there is some way to manifest a cute and cuddly yet sometimes utterly, actively hostile and murderous teddy bear, sometimes with a God Complex, as the primary mode of interacting with the device, I will have to protest in grave dissatisfaction and disappointment. That’s PD, not PT. > [@LurkMeister](#): > > I once heard a smartphone referred to as an “electronic leash”. I believe that the original usage referred to the fact that it allowed anyone, such as your employer, your partner, your parents, your children, etc to contact you at any time no matter where you were. Heinlein famously predicted not only that everyone would have pocketphones; he also predicted that people would deliberately leave their pocketphones behind because they didn’t want to be contacted. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/50 "2025-01-26T17:39:44Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Heinlein famously predicted not only that everyone would have pocketphones; he also predicted that people would deliberately leave their pocketphones behind because they didn’t want to be contacted. I believe that was _Space Cadet_, when one of the main characters packed his phone into his suitcase so his parents couldn’t call him. This also reminded me of an early Woody Allen movie (can’t remember the title or be bothered to look it up) where one character was constantly calling his office to let them know a phone number where he could be reached, even if it was only for the next 15 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/51 "2025-01-26T17:43:27Z")
I think that was Tony Roberts’s character in _Play it Again Sam_. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/52 "2025-01-26T17:46:46Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > I believe that was _Space Cadet_, when one of the main characters packed his phone into his suitcase so his parents couldn’t call him. That, and also in “Blowups Happen”, when one of the engineers is at the bar but deliberately left his pocketphone at the office. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/53 "2025-01-26T17:59:58Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’m aware of “handy” in parts of non-English speaking Europe, but that has an unfortunate other meaning in at least US English. What meaning is that? I know the difference between the meaning of “handy” in German and English (where it’s normally not even a noun, but an adjective). I’m guessing what you mean is an abbreviation of hand job, right? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/54 "2025-01-26T18:12:09Z")
Correct. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/55 "2025-01-26T18:12:43Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > What meaning is that? One meaning is something that is useful to have on hand, like a manual can opener when the power is out or a small power bank in your backpack, etc. that’s a neutral to good use of it. I find it handy to always put a chapstick and fresh Kleenex in a pants pocket before I leave the house. The other concept which ‘handy’ could readily and unpleasantly allude to, especially for women, is ‘handy as a descriptor for a man who invades your personal space in spite of signals not to and even more unsettling, many proceed to touch your person in ways that are unwelcome, usually under the guise of admiring your hair or skin or your clothes. It’s a gender power balance in action. If a woman describes a man as ‘handy’ it may not mean something flattering that is appreciated like being able fix a sticky drawer or rekey a lock. It can be code for him being grabby or inappropriately touchy-feely. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/56 "2025-01-26T18:14:42Z")
I knew the first meaning, but not the second. Thanks for the clarification. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/57 "2025-01-26T18:16:38Z")
I’ve always heard the word for “prone to groping” as “handsy”, and “handy” as an adjective has always meant “useful”, or when applied to a person, “good at fixing things”. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/58 "2025-01-26T18:21:33Z")
That’s now I’ve always heard and used these terms too. Handy = skilled with one’s hands, or useful; handsy = tending to touch inappropriately ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/59 "2025-01-26T19:53:56Z")
Well. I invented a good term. _Walkie-Talkie_ Oh, wait. 🤗 ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384/60 "2025-01-26T20:00:50Z")
Where I work, most rooms have a landline that you can get by dialing an extension, and we refer to them as “desk phones.” If you “call the rabbi,” you are calling his cell phone, what we generally call just “phones,” but if you call his landline extension, you are “calling his desk.” It’s pretty rare that someone would answer another person’s phone, but other people are frequently deputized to answer calls at a desk. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-new-word-name-for-mobile-phones/1013384.md?page=4)