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Khoff Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary
Telephonist
I'm listening to a Ruth Rendell mystery on tape, and in the story, the person who answers the phone in an office is a "telephonist" -- with the emphasis on the second syllable. Is this term still in use?
Top answer
I've never heard or read it in all my life before, but then I haven't read every British novel there is. it certainly sounds odd. Is it maybe part of some elaborate joke, where all the people in the office have pretentious job titles?
- I've never heard or read it in all my life before, but then I haven't read every British novel there is.
- it certainly sounds odd.
- Is it maybe part of some elaborate joke, where all the people in the office have pretentious job titles?
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6 Answers
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I've never heard or read it in all my life before, but then I haven't read every British novel there is. it certainly sounds odd. Is it maybe part of some elaborate joke, where all the people in the office have pretentious job titles?
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Dear friend,
I find nothing obsolete in using this term, which is a British equivalent of a telephone operator. Many UK job networks offer jobs for telephonists, who are sometimes also employed as receptionists or virtual PAs, so this word is still in active use.
Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
I find nothing obsolete in using this term, which is a British equivalent of a telephone operator. Many UK job networks offer jobs for telephonists, who are sometimes also employed as receptionists or virtual PAs, so this word is still in active use.
Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
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Thank you. What is a PA? I only know that term as Physicians' Assistant, but I doubt that is what you mean here.
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Glad to help, Khoff.
PA stands for a personal assistant (often so in British English usage). Virtual PAs can offer assistance in e-book creation and marketing, blog management, membership site management, Web 2.0 marketing and other services that emerged with the coming of IT-era.
Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
PA stands for a personal assistant (often so in British English usage). Virtual PAs can offer assistance in e-book creation and marketing, blog management, membership site management, Web 2.0 marketing and other services that emerged with the coming of IT-era.
Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
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Hi guys,
The term 'telephonist' sounds pretty old-fashioned to me. I don't remember the last time I heard it. I'd be taken aback if, at a party, I asked someone what they did and they said 'I'm a telephonist'.
I occasionally hear the term 'switchboard operator'.
Best wishes, Clive
The term 'telephonist' sounds pretty old-fashioned to me. I don't remember the last time I heard it. I'd be taken aback if, at a party, I asked someone what they did and they said 'I'm a telephonist'.
I occasionally hear the term 'switchboard operator'.
Best wishes, Clive
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In the old, old days when wireless radio communication was replacing the telegram with the 'marconigram', the process was called 'radio te leg raphy' . After the technology was developed so that the human voice could be transmitted as with a telephone, it was called 'radio te leph ony'. Maybe that is where the term 'te leph onist' originated.
TrysB
TrysB
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