Hello, I'm an expert in the field of linguistics and communication history. It's fascinating to delve into the origins of common phrases and the evolution of language. Let's explore the question of what people said before they said "hello."
Before the widespread use of the telephone, there wasn't a universally accepted greeting in English. People used various forms of salutation depending on the context and the time period. Here's a journey through the evolution of greetings leading up to "hello."

Step 1: Early Greetings
The concept of a greeting is as old as human interaction itself. Early forms of greetings were often religious in nature, with phrases like "God be with you" or "The peace of God be upon you." These evolved into "good day" and "good morrow," which were common in the Middle Ages.

Step 2: The Influence of Technology
The advent of the telephone in the late 19th century necessitated a new form of greeting. The telephone required a quick, clear way to acknowledge the presence of the person on the other end of the line. This led to the creation of a new word, "hello," which was adopted by Thomas Edison.

**Step 3: The Adoption of "Hello"**
Thomas Edison, known for his contributions to the development of the telephone, is credited with popularizing the word "hello." He encouraged users of his telephone devices to greet each other with "hello" when answering a call. This was a departure from the more formal and time-consuming greetings that were common at the time.

Step 4: The Rivalry and "Ahoy"
Interestingly, Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, had a different opinion on the matter. He preferred the word "ahoy," which was a nautical term used to hail a ship. However, Bell's preference did not gain the same level of acceptance as Edison's "hello."

**Step 5: The Rise of "Hello" in Popular Culture**
As the telephone became more prevalent, "hello" started to seep into everyday language and eventually became the standard greeting for answering the phone. Its simplicity and directness made it an ideal choice for this new form of communication.

Step 6: The Universal Greeting
Over time, "hello" transcended its telephone origins and became a universal greeting in English-speaking countries. It's now used in a variety of contexts, from answering the phone to meeting someone for the first time.

In conclusion, the word "hello" is a relatively recent addition to the English language, brought about by the need for a quick and efficient telephone greeting. Its adoption and subsequent rise to prominence is a testament to the way language evolves to meet the needs of society and technology.

read more >>

Well, here's a surprise from Ammon Shea, author of The First Telephone Book: Hello is a new word. ... The dictionary says it was Thomas Edison who put hello into common usage. He urged the people who used his phone to say "hello" when answering. His rival, Alexander Graham Bell, thought the better word was "ahoy."Feb 17, 2011read more >>