1-800

No-charge phone prefix

1-800 is the prefix for toll-free telephone numbers in North America, where the recipient pays for the call rather than the caller.

The format has become shorthand for commercial services: Just call 1-800-FLOWERS.

In casual speech, 1-800 suggests something generic or mass-marketed: He's like a 1-800 therapist—all script, no substance.

tollfree

vanity

Excessive pride in oneself

numberSymbol representing quantity
hotlineDirect emergency phone connection
dialGraduated circular indicator

phone · business · reservations · helpline · support · inbound · routing · switchboard · operator · directory

infomercial

commercial

Paid broadcast promotion

late-nightOccurring after dark
TVScreen for broadcast shows
operatorsThose who manage equipment

product · telemarketing · shipping · handling · limited-time · offer · guarantee · satisfaction · testimonial · pitchman

scam

fraud

Intentional criminal trickery

robocallAutomated prerecorded phone message
spamUnsolicited bulk messages
phishingFraudulent credential harvesting

telemarketer · block · suspicious · scheme · warning · caller-ID · spoofing · registry · complaint · FTC

mnemonic

vanity

Excessive pride in oneself

spellingCorrect letter sequence
lettersAlphabetic characters or mail
keypadButton array for input

memorable · catchy · branding · marketing · acronym · jingle · advertising · slogan · recognition · wordplay

Categories

phone codes+1, +44, country code, area code, 404
telecom codesarea code, country code, dialing code, regional code, prefix

Opposites

cost to caller

1-8001-900

Fee-based telephone prefix

900 number · collect call · long-distance · international call · long distance

geographic scope

1-800local number

Same-area phone identifier

area code · landline · direct dial

commercial vs. personal context

1-800home phone

Residential wired telephone

direct line · unlisted number · cell phone

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Mostly American · Everyday, not technical · Rated G