why is it that when people answer the phone they say hello?

Question

why not say hi?

Answer 1

In the 1870s, Scottish-born Canadian inventor Alexander Graham Bell did much development for the newly-invented telephone. Bell's preferred salutation, ahoy-hoy was derived from the nautical term "Ahoy". A recent resurgence in the popularity of the term has resulted from its use by Simpsons character Montgomery Burns, who often answers the telephone with the greeting of "Ahoy-hoy." Early telephone operators were known as Hello Girls.

Answer 2

i say hey if it's a friend or something. hello is more formal though

Answer 3

i say Hey if i know who's calling and hello if it's someone i don't know

Answer 4

coz when u meet smb u don't say hello but hi

Answer 5

- formal greeting if you don't know who it is. -
- if its a friend you say hi. -
- just the way it is i guess. -
- sounds better too. -

Answer 6

i say neither, i usually answer with a "yello" or a loving "whatdya want?"

Answer 7

i i know who it is i sometimes just say hey

Answer 8

Because that is how you greet someone.

Answer 9

I've wondered the same thing...

Answer 10

Actually I say "this is _____"