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Why did people stop saying "over" when telephones replaced radio?

HP35

I have a lot of trouble with phone calls. I find that figuring out when it's my turn to speak (in the absence of visual cues such as the other person opening or closing their mouth) takes so much concentration that when I end the call I realise I haven't taken in any information or have failed to provide information that was the whole point of the call. If I take notes then I forget to speak when it's my turn because I'm writing, and then the other person starts talking again trying to figure out what's wrong with the line.

Sometimes I wonder if both people using a word to indicate "I have finished speaking, please respond" would help. I think people used to say "over" for this purpose when communicating via radio? Why did they stop in favour of a free for all where everyone ends up speaking over each other? Is this something I could ask an NT to do during a phone call or would it just confuse them?

Parents

  • I think the reason it was done with radio was that the users had to flip a switch between transmit and receive, so it was about the hardware itself rather than anything to do with human interactions. I suppose you could try asking the person on the other end to oblige you by saying over. It might well confuse them, but if you explained the need they ought to at least try, especially if it is an important call.

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  • I think the reason it was done with radio was that the users had to flip a switch between transmit and receive, so it was about the hardware itself rather than anything to do with human interactions. I suppose you could try asking the person on the other end to oblige you by saying over. It might well confuse them, but if you explained the need they ought to at least try, especially if it is an important call.

Children