butt dial

Unintended phone call

A butt dial is an accidental phone call made when a cellphone in a pocket or bag registers unintended contact—typically from sitting on it.

The verb form describes making such a call: I butt dialed my boss during dinner and she heard our whole conversation.

Also spelled as one word.

accident

unintentional

Not done on purpose

inadvertentDone without intention
accidentalOccurring by chance
slipMinor error or misstep

misfire · fumble · oops · random · chance · fluke · happenstance · carelessness · sitting · jeans

phone

smartphone

Handheld connected computer

pocketFabric compartment in clothing
touchscreenInput-sensitive display panel
contactCommunication or physical touch

call · cellular · ringtone · screen · speakerphone · voicemail · notification · missed-call · hangup · answer

embarrassment

awkward

Lacking grace or ease

mortifyingCausing acute embarrassment
cringeShrink from discomfort
overheardUnintentionally listened to

caught · private · voicemail · recording · apologetic · sheepish · red-faced · flustered · explaining · callback

Categories

accidental callswrong number
communication failsmisunderstanding, autocorrect fail, typo, wrong number, reply all
Phone Failswrong number, dropped call, autocorrect fail, reply all
tech problemsbug, paper jam, low ink, dropped calls, bugs
dialing errorswrong number, fat finger, extra digit, transposition
smartphone featurescalling, texting, smartphone, cell phone, mobile phone

Opposites

intentionality of communication

butt dialreturn call

callback · conference call · business call · direct dial · courtesy call

Family

butt, dial, dials, dialed, dialing, redial, dialling, misdial, redialed

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G