1y ago

As a German visiting the US

Explanation: Germans ~~used to~~ (apparently only in my bubble) call cellphones "Handy" and many people still do that. My friends from america found that quite hilarious.

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"Used to call"? No?!
- Most people in my bubble stopped saying that. They usually just say "smartphone" now.
  
  With my peers it's mostly just "phone" nowadays. Likely because landline phones are really rare now.
  
  I also do that but I think „Handy“ is still the most common term. When there is any need for clarification for what you mean by „phone“, „handy“ will clear it up for everyone.
  
  Definitely still the most widely used word. I guess it is changing because the younger generations speak better English in general and prefer using correct words.
  
  I feel that mostly older folks still use the term? Maybe it's just my friends and I. Ever since I realized what it means in english-speaking countries, I stopped saying it.
  Maybe, I'm wrong. But again, I rarely hear the term "Handy" any more.
  
  Im old aparently, :(
  
  Ever since I realized what it means in english-speaking countries, I stopped saying it.
  Why? Why would it matter what a word means if interpreted via another language? I mean, you go ahead and do what you want, I don't care, but I'd like to understand the reasoning behind that.
  
  Because I use english during most of the day. Many of my friends are from abroad and only speak english. I consume a lot of content in english, etc.
  And in German, I'd even prefer Mobiltelefon over Handy. Ever since I know that "Handy" could be interpreted as "Handjob" in the US, it feels really stupid to use this word. To me, the word now feels like a "boomer invention" and even though it's in the Duden, I don't consider it to be correct any more. At least for my own language. There are several words in the German and English languages that fit better.
  I don't understand why it'd be hard to understand that.
  
  It's not "hard to understand", I was just interested in your reasons because I thought it was curious. I still don't agree that it's a big deal - I also consume mostly English-language media and most of my communication online is in English but I'm still typing this on my Handybildschirm. But you do you.
  Sent from my Handy.
  
  OK Boomer.
  (nur Spaß)
  
  FWIW, "handy" in the sense of "handjob" isn't that common (U.S., over 25). I mostly hear it and use it in the sense of "useful, good to have or know." That's pretty handy, that could come in handy.
  Plus, I can't imagine I would ever interpret Handy as a handjob if you pronounced it the German way (Hendy). I would just go "huh" because that doesn't register as a word in English. I've been told that the vowels in the German Handy and the English handy sound really similar to native German speakers. But as a native English speaker, they're worlds apart.
  Not trying to change your mind or anything. Just thought I'd give you a different perspective.
  
  Just stating what my US american friend from MA and his entire family said to me.
  Edit: Also, not talking about something being handy, I'm talking about "a handy".
  
  phone
  You mean, your German peers literally use the English word 'phone' or do they say 'Telefon'?
  
  They say "Telefon".
  
  But fax is still relevant
  
  would you use the german equivalent of the work handy or the actual english word handy? and if so whats that word, could you use it in a sentence lol
  
  "Ich habe mein Handy verloren." "I lost my cellphone."
  
  Well you have basically three options in my bubble.
  Handy
  Wischkästla (translates roughly to swipe box)
  Mobiltelefon (mobile phone) this one needs to be pronounced very precisely in order to get the sarkasm of using the old correct German word.
  
  Wischkästla
  What kind of demonic incantation is this?
  Kind regards,
  Someone from Schleswig-Holstein
  
  We frankonians just like to call things differently.
  
  Weird. Everyone I know calls it Handy. I do not think that is ever going to change.
  
  Maybe. Again, most people (except old people) in my friends circle has stopped calling it like that. Why? I don't know. But I definitely noticed it.

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