# Why is it 'Will Call'? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 23, 2002, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-will-call/125308 "2002-08-23T23:05:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2002, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-will-call/125308/1 "2002-08-23T23:05:47Z")
Sorry, I’m sure this has been asked and answered but I am having a brain cramp and can’t figure an intelligent way to query this without coming up with tons of false positives. What is the origin of the term “Will Call” for the place you pick up tickets, etc? ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2002, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-will-call/125308/2 "2002-08-23T23:12:54Z")
I always assumed that it meant you will call on them to pick up the tickets instead of having them sent to you. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-will-call/125308/3 "2002-08-24T06:22:56Z")
Are you aware of the meaning of “call” as “to make a brief visit” (called to pay his respects, called on a friend. the ship made a port call)? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-will-call/125308/4 "2002-08-24T16:17:48Z")
Because they will call…later.