Dandelion Break There Must Be A Word For It…

[AgentPete]

It’s happened twice in the past two days, which makes me think there must be, or ought to be, a word for it. Surely, it happens to most people?

I receive a call from a number I recognise, someone who’s in my contacts list. Not the usual time for them to phone socially. So… might be important, right?

“Hello”, they say.

“Hello!” I say.

“Um,” they say, “is that Peter…?”

“At your service!” I brightly respond.

But of course, they didn’t mean to dial me. Not exactly pocket dialling, more like hitting the wrong button when doing too many things.

And then, there’s a short, necessary conversation. Not about very much.

What is the name, pray, for that discourse? It’s typically a couple of minutes. Both parties want to get off the phone as quickly as possible, but both are careful not to give offence…

 

[Vagabond Heart]

I'd call it a stutter-fuck.

 

[Jason L.]

An oopsie-dialey? Or an oops-dial.

 

[JoanUP]

We call it a butt-dial, but good question.. what is the actual conversation called?
OR what is it called when you inadvertently hear the conversation on the other end, without the caller knowing?

 

[Rich.]

What is the name, pray, for that discourse?

I'd call it running into the bishop on his way to the brothel.

"I was trying to call work to tell them I'd be late, but I was in such a rush I ran into the bishop!"​

what is it called when you inadvertently hear the conversation on the other end, without the caller knowing?

an icky-snoop

 

[JoanUP]

How about a BUTT-HI for a short hello, and a BUTT-SPY when you hear the other person and they don't know it.

 

[wrightstuff]

How about proxy-dial, i.e.: calling a contact next to the one you want?

For example, John Tan (client) instead of John Tan (former colleague) - yes, that's actual example.