I just learned that when telephones were first in use people did not say "hello" upon answering. They said "ahoy".

Hi,
 
In Portugal in the 50's we used to say ... Bom Dia, or Boa Tarde, or equivalent when first answering the phone. In Brazil, I don't remember, but I don't remember us having a phone in Brazil at all. Assis had no phones yet for residential service at the time, and Araraquara, I can't say, and the pictures I saw recently, did not have telephone wires on the street yet next to the electrical wires, at least near where we lived.

Slovakian for 'hello' is 'ahoj', pronounced 'ahoy'.
 
 

Well you'd know that if you watched The Simpsons. Mr. Burns always answered with "ahoy." 
 
I believe it was commonplace to end the call with "tinkerty tonk" as well, although I'm probably lying about that. 

sharke
Well you'd know that if you watched The Simpsons. Mr. Burns always answered with "ahoy." 
 
I believe it was commonplace to end the call with "tinkerty tonk" as well, although I'm probably lying about that. 

Another useles fact.
 
On TV shows and movies, no one ever says goodbye at the end of a phone conversation.

bapu

sharke
Well you'd know that if you watched The Simpsons. Mr. Burns always answered with "ahoy." 
 
I believe it was commonplace to end the call with "tinkerty tonk" as well, although I'm probably lying about that. 

Another useles fact.
 
On TV shows and movies, no one ever says goodbye at the end of a phone conversation.

..however, people nod their heads in silent agreement, which no-one ever does when talking on the phone.
 

I nod when I post.

bapu

sharke
Well you'd know that if you watched The Simpsons. Mr. Burns always answered with "ahoy." 
 
I believe it was commonplace to end the call with "tinkerty tonk" as well, although I'm probably lying about that. 

Another useles fact.
 
On TV shows and movies, no one ever says goodbye at the end of a phone conversation.

Also, sound travels a shorter distance. For instance, if you want to take someone aside for a "quiet word" out of earshot of someone else in the room, just move 6ft to the left. You don't even need to lower your voice, they won't hear a thing.