Interesting idioms

Hi Gérard
I know them all but enjoyed reading them again !

gerardM a écrit:

Telephone Phrasal Verbs
FLUENTLAND.COM

Hi Gérard, everyone
I can add that it is a good test because on the phone you don't see your interlocutor's facial gestures. When you are able to telephone, you have reached a good level of English.

Hi Muriel,
I guess you know the origin of "to hang up" meaning to end the call... the particle "up" in order to put the phone down
On the other hand, "to pick up" is to answer the call ie the opposite of to hang up (why not down?).

the particle "up" in order to put the phone down and why not down for "to pick up"

Gérard it's very strange isn't it ? do you know why ?

Muriel,

Of course I know;.. and so do you.

"To hang up" refers to the old phone appliances which were fixed at the wall: we had to hang the handset upwards to end the call, do you remember? Otherwise ask your mother.

Unfortunately, "to pick up" refers to the appliance on the desk, the table, or the chest of drawers... hence, we pick the hanset upwards to answer the call.

Sometimes languages are not perfectly logical

What should we say with nowaday's cell phones??? Probably, to pick out (from the pocket or the purse -British->handbag-)?

Very interesting explanations ! Thanks Gérard !

Welcome Muriel.

Old vegetables of the past are making a come back. I don't even know all the words in French...What about in English ? We have to use our brains !