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.

  • klingelstreich@feddit.de
    241·
    1 year ago

    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.

    • GigglyBobble@kbin.social
      63·
      1 year ago

      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.

    • Netto Hikari@social.fossware.spaceOP
      21·
      1 year ago

      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.

      • Lumidaub@feddit.de
        22·
        1 year ago

        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.

        • Netto Hikari@social.fossware.spaceOP
          21·
          1 year ago

          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.

          • Lumidaub@feddit.de
            22·
            1 year ago

            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.