Dialing: meaning, definitions and examples

Historical Origins

• The first telephone, invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, did not initially have a dialing feature; calls were manually connected.
• The rotary dial was introduced in the early 20th century, allowing users to call someone by turning a dial with their finger.
• Push-button dialing became popular in the 1960s, making it easier and quicker to place phone calls.

Technology

• Modern smartphones have replaced traditional dialing with touchscreens and voice commands, allowing users to call without physically pressing numbers.
• Smartphones can also save contact information, enabling people to call by simply touching a name rather than dialing each number.
• VoIP technology allows calls to be made over the internet, showing how dialing has evolved from traditional phones to digital platforms.

Psychology

• Research shows that the ease of dialing can influence how often people communicate, with simple interfaces boosting connectivity.
• Difficulties with dialing can lead to frustration, influencing how we feel about technology and communication.
• The tactile experience of dialing can evoke nostalgia for older generations who grew up with rotary or push-button phones.

Pop Culture

• Many movies and shows from the late 20th century featured characters using rotary phones, representing a simpler time in communication.
• In songs, the act of dialing often symbolizes a longing or hope to connect with someone special.
• The iconic sound of a telephone dialing is often used in films to instantly convey the idea of communication.

Linguistics

• The term 'dialing' has evolved from 'dial,' which originally referred to the disc used for rotary phones.
• Different cultures use various terms for dialing; for example, in some languages, the word translates literally to 'writing numbers.'
• In some dialects, people colloquially use variations of 'dialing' to refer to reaching out to friends, regardless of the method.

Positioned at #22,898, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

• ...
• 22895 squeak
• 22896 suppurative
• 22897 lurk
• 22898 dialing
• 22899 shortcuts
• 22900 striker
• 22901 hustle
• ...