Re: CHAT: postcodes

 --- Padraic Brown <elemtilas@...> wrote: > ---
"Thomas R. Wier" <trwier@...> wrote:
> > Quoting Tristan <kesuari@...>:
> >
> > > Why is it that Americans (and non-English
> speakers
> > who've learnt American
> > > English) call mobile phones 'cell phones'?
> What's
> > the 'cell' in question?
> >
> > Others have already pointed out the etymology of
> the
> > word.  Also,
> > sometimes people use "mobile phone" for a handheld
> > cordless phone
> > whose base is attached to a regular landline.
>
> Also, "mobile phone" and "car phone" are somewhat
> antiquated terms. I recall hearing the terms in old
> television shows (late 70s and 80s); and the
> machines
> themselves were about the size of a pay phone,
> resting
> between the two front seats. The ones I've seen have
> regular handpieces (receivers) and standard cords.
>
'mobile phone' is the standard term here, and throout
the uk i think, altho it's usually shortened to
'mobile'

most people would understand 'cell phone' but it would
be regarded as an americanism

bn

=====
bnathyuw | landan | arR
stamp the sunshine out | angelfish
your tears came like anaesthesia | phèdre

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