Will Call

Will Call is a booth that holds tickets for those that have reserved them. In movie terms, it means that the cinema will have the tickets waiting for you at the box office.

Hi Vorpar,

I watched a show 2 days ago. I saw a waiting line starting from the "Will Call" window. More questions for you or others.

Will Call:
0. Does 'Will Call' originally mean that the box office will call (using telephone) you when your tickets are ready?
1. Do people need to put some deposit for the reservations? Do they need to pay some extra charge?
2

Unfortunately, I don't know the origin of the phrase.

1. Will call is generally for tickets already paid for. It can also be a place to leave your friend's tickets if you don't meet before the show. I don't know of any extra charges.

2. The tickets (and seating) is already bought and paid for.

3. Same answer as 2, you just lose the money you paid for the tickets.

Does 'Will Call' originally mean that the box office will call (using telephone) you when your tickets are ready?

No. In this expression "call" means "call on (someone)", i.e., "visit (someone)". "will call" means that the ticket purchaser, rather than taking possession of the tickets before the event, will call (i.e., visit, appear in person, not phone)

Thanks, CJ.