0
Usenet Posted 23 years ago
Usage
Punctuating Phone Numbers
I'm noticing a shift in North America away from:
(666) 555-1212
as the standard punctuation of phone numbers, toward:
666.555.1212
I suspect it originated with graphic designers and web designers rather than the writing or publishing end of things.
Anyone else noticing this?
Is it simply a fad or do you think it will catch on and become more widespread or even one day become the standard?
Who decided (666) 555-1212 was the way things should be in the first place?
(666) 555-1212
as the standard punctuation of phone numbers, toward:
666.555.1212
I suspect it originated with graphic designers and web designers rather than the writing or publishing end of things.
Anyone else noticing this?
Is it simply a fad or do you think it will catch on and become more widespread or even one day become the standard?
Who decided (666) 555-1212 was the way things should be in the first place?
Top answer
[/nq] Probably. That, and the desire to use a consistent format in a list of international phone numbers in marketing material. [/nq] Where, exactly?
- [/nq] Probably.
- That, and the desire to use a consistent format in a list of international phone numbers in marketing material.
- [/nq] Where, exactly?
- [nq:1]Is it simply a fad or do you think it will catch on and become more widespread or even one day become the standard?
- [/nq] Ma Bell, probably.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
23 Answers
0
[nq:1]I'm noticing a shift in North America away from: (666) 555-1212 as the standard punctuation of phone numbers, toward: 666.555.1212 I suspect it originated with graphic designers and web designers rather than the writing or publishing end of things.[/nq]
Probably. That, and the desire to use a consistent format in a list of international phone numbers in marketing material.
[nq:1]Anyo
Probably. That, and the desire to use a consistent format in a list of international phone numbers in marketing material.
[nq:1]Anyo
00
[nq:2]I'm noticing a shift in North America away from: (666) ... writing or publishing end of things. Anyone else noticing this?[/nq]
It is without question the stoopidest Post-Gulf-War Cultural Development I can think of. It is direct evidence of the fact that not all change is Progress (one of the Post-Tet(TM) Tenets, as will be explained in the forthcoming Little Orange Book ). It is direct
It is without question the stoopidest Post-Gulf-War Cultural Development I can think of. It is direct evidence of the fact that not all change is Progress (one of the Post-Tet(TM) Tenets, as will be explained in the forthcoming Little Orange Book ). It is direct
00
[nq:1]I'm noticing a shift in North America away from: (666) 555-1212 as the standard punctuation of phone numbers, toward: 666.555.1212[/nq]
Standard? No, if that's what happening, then it's just a change in local habits in one corner of the world.
The standard notation would be
(666) 555 1212
for local use in a country, and (for this particular country) +1 666 555 1212
for in
Standard? No, if that's what happening, then it's just a change in local habits in one corner of the world.
The standard notation would be
(666) 555 1212
for local use in a country, and (for this particular country) +1 666 555 1212
for in
00
[nq:1]Is it simply a fad or do you think it will catch on and become more widespread or even one day become the standard?[/nq]
Ever since we went to ten-digit dialing I have abandoned the parentheses arount the area code and have lately taken to just putting spaces between the number groups: 123 456 7890.
John Varela
Ever since we went to ten-digit dialing I have abandoned the parentheses arount the area code and have lately taken to just putting spaces between the number groups: 123 456 7890.
John Varela
00
[nq:2]Surely any recent change must relate to the fact that ... in most (?) places, you have to dial all ten?[/nq]
[nq:1]I'm not a telephone expert or an extensive traveller, but I think your is well placed. My impression is ... the more populous regions, of course, but I still doubt that the majority of North Americans live in ten-digit areas.[/nq]
Seven-digit dialing is still possible i
[nq:1]I'm not a telephone expert or an extensive traveller, but I think your is well placed. My impression is ... the more populous regions, of course, but I still doubt that the majority of North Americans live in ten-digit areas.[/nq]
Seven-digit dialing is still possible i
00
[nq:2]I'm noticing a shift in North America away from: (666) 555-1212 as the standard punctuation of phone numbers, toward: 666.555.1212[/nq]
(snip)
[nq:2]Who decided (666) 555-1212 was the way things should be in the first place?[/nq]
[nq:1]Ma Bell, probably.[/nq]
Exactly. The historical pattern was like this:
(666) This is the area code. It was unnecessary (and usually produc
(snip)
[nq:2]Who decided (666) 555-1212 was the way things should be in the first place?[/nq]
[nq:1]Ma Bell, probably.[/nq]
Exactly. The historical pattern was like this:
(666) This is the area code. It was unnecessary (and usually produc
00
[nq:2]666.555.1212[/nq]
[nq:1]Standard? No, if that's what happening, then it's just a change in local habits in one corner of the world. ... this particular country) +1 666 555 1212 for international use. Ref.: ITU-T Recommendation E.123. For a quick intro, see http://www.geocities.com/dtmcbride
[nq:1]Standard? No, if that's what happening, then it's just a change in local habits in one corner of the world. ... this particular country) +1 666 555 1212 for international use. Ref.: ITU-T Recommendation E.123. For a quick intro, see http://www.geocities.com/dtmcbride
00
[nq:1]There are thought floating around that posit giving everyone a fixed personal phone contact identifier, and a have an automatic ... from or to, the caller 'dials' that identifier and a computer routes the call to wherever the number currently is.[/nq]
Unless I've misunderstood you, that feature already exists for mobile phones (cell phones), at least for the GSM variety used in most of t
Unless I've misunderstood you, that feature already exists for mobile phones (cell phones), at least for the GSM variety used in most of t
00
[nq:1]For instance to call my wife, to or from anywhere in the world, I'd dial +44 7778 123456 (last 6 digits fictitious). And that's the form in which her number is stored in my phone's directory.[/nq]
You understand me correctly. But ideally and additionally, one's number would belong to oneself, not the phone company, so if you change to use another phone company you keep the same number (k
You understand me correctly. But ideally and additionally, one's number would belong to oneself, not the phone company, so if you change to use another phone company you keep the same number (k
00
[nq:2]For instance to call my wife, to or from anywhere ... in which her number is stored in my phone's directory.[/nq]
[nq:1]You understand me correctly. But ideally and additionally, one's number would belong to oneself, not the phone company, so if you change to use another phone company you keep the same number (known as 'number portability' IIRC)[/nq]
There is a facility for me to por
[nq:1]You understand me correctly. But ideally and additionally, one's number would belong to oneself, not the phone company, so if you change to use another phone company you keep the same number (known as 'number portability' IIRC)[/nq]
There is a facility for me to por
0
Related Questions