Why most of people say HELLO when answering the phone?

This is interesting, the word "Hello" was introduced into the English language by Thomas Edison specifically as a telephone greeting. Watch this video clip. http://www.poetv.com/video.php?vid=39617

I have no clue as to where this word came from.... I only answer my mobile if it shows a number I do not know, same as my home telephone. If it shows a friend or family name or number then I will answer it using there name... sometimes even answer it in a joking way like "Hey Ashley what can I do for you!" LOL

Thanks for posting this! It's made me think saying "hello" is a little odd. As one of the posters noted, with Caller ID you now know who is calling...so from now on, I will answer the phone greeting the caller by name. Thanks again!

I don't know where the word came from, but I do know when I pick up my phone (even if its to someone I know) I'll use Hello or the alternitive "hey". Its an established form of greating that came out years ago, and has evolved. Its not something one actually stops to think about, as its so common place. To me its just how you great someone.

well, i think it's kind of greeting word. You need a manner when you talk to the others. If your just start talking straightly, i think it considered as rude or impolite. I don't know other words which can substitute it :)

I'm not sure why we say 'hello' but I think it's just a natura response to start a conversation - as a greeting, it's the first thing you say when you meet someone face to face too..

I guess I have never really thought about where it came from, as it has been used for so many years, I think it would be hard to change. I know I use it when someone clls me I don't know, otherwise I say HI, which in a way does sound better, but you know, I guess I really haven't even give it a thought, about whether I use it or not, since I have used it for years, as least for as long as I can renmember anyway. Take care, and hapy mylotting.

I think we say hello to sound friendly and polite especially that we are not aware who the caller is. Though it is the caller who must say something first, like introduce himself once the receiver was picked up. In the office scenario, we often start by saying our name and the company's.If it is someone I knew of, then, I'll just blurt out his/her name as a signal or indication that I am receiving the call.:-)

For me from the instinct attitude of the kind person.

I don't know how it was started but that is the thing that I used to it that is why I am also saying Hello instead of other words such as Hi or anything.

The word 'hello' actually came from earlier form of 'holla' which originated from french word 'hola' meaning whos there. This word 'hello' is being used internationally though sometimes some people respond in a very rough or grave voice 'yes' probably to show their superiority.

hmmm...because that is the most common and easiest greeting?

Hello is a variant of the English 'Hullo' which is an expression of surprise - and introduced to the telephone nearly as early as the invention itself. Hullo, Hello, and several other variants are used worldwide as a standard telephone greeting - landline or mobile. Hello? as a question also came about in a similar manner - people when ringing into a home with several occupants had no caller ID or for whom the phone might be ringing, further positioning hello as a popular greeting. You're quite right, however, with personal telephone numbers, 99% of the time it is for you (unless it is a misdialed number) so the original hello should be replaced with something else a bit more personal. I use "This is (my name)" when answering my phone, so the person knows they've reached the correct number.

I say whats up lol