On the Sci-Fi/Fantasy site, a user asked what «What’s the meaning of ‘411 on the late-night drop box’?,» a line from Captain Marvel, which was set in 1995.
Another user answered that it meant «how to use the video return slot» (correctly, IMO), but made an off-hand comment that «the 411» was considered Black slang. They certainly seem to be correct that it originated from Black culture, namely Aretha Franklin’s 1982 song Jump to It.
However, many commenters remarked they didn’t think it was specifically associated with Black American English, a sentiment I would have shared. Even Urban Dictionary, a site which … doesn’t really shy away from slapping racial labels on things doesn’t mention anything about being associated with Black Americans.
Neither does our question/answer on it, in fact the top/accepted answer links it to Valley Girl subcultures, which, while very ’90s, is definitely not Black.
So, the question is, would «the 411» have been marked as Black slang in the ’90s? Or even in ’82?
This article is about the telephone directory number. For other uses, see 411 (disambiguation).
4-1-1 is a telephone number for local directory assistance in Canada and the United States. Until the early 1980s, 4-1-1 and the related 1-1-3 number were free to call in most states.
In the United States, the service is commonly known as «information», although its official name is «directory assistance». As a result, 4-1-1 is commonly used in Canada and the United States as a slang word for «information». In the 1982 song «Jump to It» by American singer Aretha Franklin, for example, the lyric is «We have a lot of fun, don’t we, girl, dishin’ out
The dirt on everybody and givin’ each other the 411».[1]
History
Edit
The 4-1-1 number has been used since at least 1930[2] in New York City,[3] San Francisco,[4] and other large cities where panel and crossbar switching equipment installed by the Bell System was prevalent. However, in smaller Bell System cities as well as almost all areas served by GTE and other companies where step-by-step equipment was the norm such as Los Angeles,[5] 1-1-3 was used until at least the 1960s, and in some cases (the Pacific Northwest, for example) until the mid-1980s.
In Canada and the United States, directory assistance was historically a local function, and most companies updated listings at their directory assistance centers frequently, sometimes daily. When long-distance numbers were needed, prior to the full introduction of direct-dialed long-distance service, callers would call either 4-1-1 or «0» (Operator) and request a free long-distance connection to the directory assistance center in the distant city.
In 1962, direct-dialed long-distance directory assistance became available. The number in cities with panel and crossbar switching equipment was area code-555-1212, whereas in cities with step-by-step equipment the number was 1-555-1212 (or 112-555-1212) for numbers not local but in the same area code and 1-area code-555-1212 (or 112-area code-555-1212) for numbers in other area codes. In some area codes, the directory assistance center was able to serve the entire area code, but in many, the operator in the principal city of the area code dialed would connect the caller onward to a more local directory assistance center for the most up-to-date information.
After the introduction of local exchange competition, most telephone companies outsourced directory assistance service to nationwide call centers. This has blurred the distinction between 4-1-1 and 555-1212. For regulatory reasons, where telephone service is provided by traditional local-exchange carriers, the local carrier will determine how to handle 411, the chosen local toll (intra-LATA) carrier will determine how to handle 555-1212 calls for area codes within the LATA, and the chosen long-distance carrier for inter-LATA) calls will determine how to handle other area code-555-1212 calls. For service provided by cellular and VoIP carriers where the customer does not have a choice of local toll or long-distance carriers, all calls may be handled the same way.
In North America, all areas formerly using 1-1-3 have been converted to using 4-1-1, and 1-1- is now reserved for vertical service codes. Outside North America, «1-1-N» numbers are still in use, for these and other services. In most European countries, «1-1-N» numbers are related to emergency services and 112 is the emergency telephone number for countries in the European Union as well as some other European countries.
The relationship between 4-1-1, 1-1-3, and long-distance dialing
Edit
Direct-distance dialing (DDD) was first introduced in areas with common-control switching (panel and crossbar) in the 1950s. These areas had used 4-1-1 for directory assistance, and because of the ability of common-control switching to analyze the initial digits of a number in a «sender» before routing the call, these areas did not require the dialing of an initial «1» to initiate a long-distance call. There was no ambiguity, because the initial assignment of area codes always used either a «0» or a «1» as the second digit, and the second digit of local numbers was never a «0» or a «1» because of the use of two-letter plus 5-digit local numbering, with the letters only on digits 2-9 of the dial.
Areas with step-by-step equipment processed the call one digit at a time as dialed by the caller, and thus needed a common prefix to distinguish long-distance dialing from local calls. The Bell System design choice was «1», but since «1-1-3» was in use for directory assistance, along with other «1-1-» codes («Repair» was 1-1-4).,[6] changes had to be made in the step-by-step areas. Initially, «1-1-2» was used temporarily as the prefix in most of these areas. To simplify long-distance calling, it was desirable to change this to a «1». Some areas converted immediately to 4-1-1 for directory assistance and 6-1-1 for repair. Other areas retained 1-1-3 by installing what were known as «double-header» trunks, which actually connected the call to the long-distance equipment and then «snatched it back» if the second digit was also a «1».
The conversion proceeded as follows in Springfield, Massachusetts:
| Year | Local D.A. | L.D. Prefix | Long Distance D.A. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 1-1-3 | 1-1-2 | «0»[7] |
| 1962 | 4-1-1 | 1 | «0»[8] |
| 1963 | 4-1-1 | 1 | 1-555-1212 (for information outside Springfield but within 413) 1-area code-555-1212 (for information in other area codes)[9] |
Directory assistance data
Edit
The services of directory assistance queries is often outsourced to a call center who specializes in that function. Historically, when a single carrier provided most of the telephone services for a region, the data used to satisfy the search could exclusively come for that carrier’s subscriber rolls. Today, when the market is fragmented amongst many carriers, the data must be aggregated by a data aggregator specializing in directory listings, such as LSSi. The data aggregator distributes the data to the 4-1-1 services either on a «live» basis, actually servicing each query, or by periodically transferring large swaths of listings to the call center’s systems for local searching.
The data aggregator collects the data from the rolls of many telecommunication carriers. Some carriers such as Vonage do not send their customer rolls to the aggregator. Their customers can get their listings in the directory assistance database using a free service such as ListYourself.net.
Landline telephone directory assistance
Edit
4-1-1 landline service has been historically provided by local telephone companies, including those of the former Bell System or subsequent Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs). Telephone carriers since that time may provide the 4-1-1 calls to the customer free of charge and [use ad supported or a customer retention model][meaning unknown][10][better source needed]
Since the 1984 Bell System divestiture, the RBOCs in the United States have priced 4-1-1 use higher to an average of US$1.25 per call, compared to $0.50 CAD in most of Canada,[citation needed] providing opportunities for competing services in the United States, such as ad-sponsored 1-800-FREE-411.
Wireless telephone directory listings
Edit
In addition to the local and long-distance directory services, there is also a «Wireless 411 Service». As specified by the industry, the service will give wireless subscribers the choice of including their wireless phone numbers in directory assistance services.
Consumers can opt in to listing their name and cellphone number with directory assistance services, such as 411. The information is currently not published in print or online directories. Additionally, the information is not added to, or otherwise shared with, marketing lists or telemarketing firms.
The service will allow any landline or wireless phone user to call 4-1-1 and be connected to the wireless listing of a subscriber who has chosen to participate in the service. Carriers who make up the industry LLC creating the service include Alltel (now absorbed by Verizon Wireless), AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint Nextel (now absorbed by T-Mobile).
Withdrawal of 4-1-1 services
Edit
In the United States cellular market, AT&T announced its withdrawal of 4-1-1 service for its wireless phone customers, effective November 1, 2022. AT&T also announced it will discontinue landline 4-1-1 services in 21 states starting January 1, 2023. [11][12]
See also
Edit
- 9-1-1
- 800-The-Info
- Bing 411
- GOOG-411
- Speech recognition
- Tellme Networks
- N11 Code
References
Edit
- ^ «Jump to It». MetroLyrics. Archived from the original on 2016-05-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ New York Telephone Directory for Manhattan, 1930, on film at the NYPL
- ^ New York Telephone Directory for Manhattan, 1940, page 1
- ^ San Francisco Bay Telephone Book, 1938, page 3
- ^ Telephone Directory Los Angeles Extended Area, 1938, title page
- ^ «Part 4 — Expanded Local Calling — Atlanta Telephone History». atlantatelephonehistory.org. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
- ^ Springfield District Telephone Directory, Apr 1961, available at the Springfield Museum
- ^ Springfield District Telephone Directory, Apr 1962, ditto
- ^ Springfield District Telephone Directory, Apr 1963, ditto
- ^ http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Metro_One_Telecommunications_(INFO)/Directory_Assistance_Market_Customers
- ^ «The 411 on 411: Some seniors give poor reception to AT&T plans to scrap directory assistance for cellphones». Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
- ^ «Dialing 411 Is Soon to Be a Thing of the Past». Bloomberg.com. 2022-11-08. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
Further reading
Edit
- 2006 survey from Tellme Networks, Inc. about 411 usage
- The Kelsey Group report on wireless voice search (10/2006)
Most phone companies allow you to access directory assistance service by dialing “411.” Other directory assistance services require a different dialing pattern such as 555-1212, a toll free number or a number that starts with “10-10.” Charges will vary significantly, check the rate before using any directory assistance …
What is the purpose of 411?
Call 4-1-1 for phone numbers and addresses for people and businesses.
What happens if you call the number 411?
What is the 411 service? The 411 service allows you to obtain the addresses and phone numbers of individuals and businesses entered in the phone directory at all times. This number also offers you information on the weather, movie show-times, or road maps.
Is 411 still a thing?
But here’s the good news: you can actually reach directory assistance for free. Just dial 1-800-FREE-411 (or 1-800-373-3411) from your phone instead. This version of directory assistance is advertiser sponsored, so you’ll have to listen to a 10-second ad before you reach an agent.
What’s the difference between 311 and 411?
In large cities, 311 is the number established to access information about municipal services (such as by-law enforcement, road repairs, garbage collection, municipal recreation programs, property taxes, etc). 411 is the number that residents call for business or residential listings (phone book/yellow pages).
411 Angel Number The Powerful Meanings Behind It
Does 4-1-1 cost money?
To reach 411 Search, simply call 4-1-1 from your mobile phone. You’ll be charged the standard $1.99 fee for a 411 call.
Is it 4-1-1 or 911?
411 – Telephone directory and business listings. You can also search yellowpages.ca to find local businesses. 511 – Public information on provincial highway travel in order to improve safety and reduce congestion. 911 – Emergency number for police, fire and ambulance for life threatening situations.
When did 411 go away?
A company spokesman said, “As other search engines have become more widely used in recent years, we are ending support for wireless 411 on Nov. 1. The 411 service will remain available at a pay-per-use rate via landline.”
Can you block 411 calls?
Although there is no way to block this service without usage controls, you can always dial 1(800)373-3411. This is the free 411 service you can use and stop the 411 charges.
How much does a 411 call cost?
Each 411 call costs up to $2.99, plus talk time for prepaid plans. Things to keep in mind when using 411 directory assistance: Three directory listings are included per call. Using toll-free area codes to call 411 won’t avoid the directory assistance charge.
How do you get listed on 411?
- Call your business’s local phone service provider. …
- Verify your authorization to make changes to your business phone account. …
- Request that the customer service representative add your business phone number to the 411 information directory.
What is the number 611 used for?
For customers of some telephone companies in Canada and in the U.S., 6-1-1 is the abbreviated dialing telephone number used to report a problem with telephone service, or with a payphone. It is an N11 code of the North American Numbering Plan that are used for special services.
How do I find out who phoned me for free?
These services can help you find out exactly who’s calling.
…
10 Free Reverse Phone Lookup Sites to Find Out Who Called You
- CocoFinder. You’ll definitely want to check out CocoFinder and its highly praised free reverse phone lookup feature. …
- Spokeo.
- PeopleFinders. …
- Truecaller.
- Spy Dialer. …
- CellRevealer. …
- Spytox. …
- ZLOOKUP.
Does 411 work cell phones?
You can get directory assistance on your cell phone (or land line) at 1-800-FREE 411 (or 1-800-373-3411). And it’s free. Add this number to your cell phone now, before you actually need it. The service is voice activated and offers the option to connect the call.
What is a 411 search charge?
Verizon’s Maryland residential customers now face a $1.99-a-call charge for directory assistance after the first two free requests to 411 each month, the state Office of People’s Counsel warned Thursday. The free-call limit had been four a month.
How do I turn off 411?
Turn On and Off
- Sign in to your Online Account.
- Click the Summary tab and under My Numbers, click a phone number, if applicable.
- Go to Features & Settings and click Calling Features.
- Scroll to 411 Directory Assistance Call Block and toggle ON or OFF.
Why is my phone saying always allowed numbers can be reached?
The preset time slots are based on when most people commonly use their phones. Managed lines can always send and receive calls and messages to and from Always Allowed numbers, even after allowances are reached or during blocked times.
Does 0 for operator still exist?
It’s pretty clear that we don’t use the 0 prefix anymore. And thus it struck me that we have an easy way to expand the North America dialing plan. We could use the 0 prefix. The simplest solution would be to introduce 4 digit area codes with a leading 0 so that we might have Area 1206 and 0206.
Does dialing popcorn still work?
Currently, anyone misdialing POPCORN (POPULAR, for instance, or even POPTART) still gets the time, as long as the 767 prefix is properly dialed. As an alternative, the California Public Utilities Commission has proposed changing some of the numbers, including the time and weather, to ones that start with 555.
How much does it cost to call 411 on AT&T?
Within the U.S. — $1.99 per call, plus airtime.
Can you still call for the time?
Even in the smartphone age, you can still dial up the time in hours, minutes, seconds. The U.S. Naval Observatory’s time-by-phone line received more than three million calls in 2015. Quick, try this: Dial 202-762-1401. Trust us, it’s not a scam, but you may be surprised by what you hear.
What is a 711 police code?
711—TDD and Relay for the Deaf. 811—Underground public utility location. 911—Emergency services (police, fire, EMS)
What are the N11 numbers?
N11 is a three-digit shortcut to reach special community services. The numbers are set aside by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and operated by the provider of the service.
What is the difference between 911 and 211?
If you or someone you know are in danger and need immediate emergency assistance you should dial 911. If you or someone you know needs information about evacuations, shelters, or help with food, water or other necessities you can call 211 or text «Florence» to 898211.
How do I use 411 com?
You just dial 1-800-GOOG-411, and it will ask you to say the business name followed by the city and state. Assuming you’re in the mood for a pizza in Asheville, N.C., just say «Pizza, Asheville, N.C.» Or you can say the city and state first, then say a business name.
411 Search is directory assistance with automatic call completion. An operator will assist you when you request: Phone numbers. Addresses. Information for almost any place of interest, like restaurants, movies or the nearest florist.
How do you stop calling 411?
Turn On and Off
- Sign in to your Online Account.
- Click the Summary tab and under My Numbers, click a phone number, if applicable.
- Go to Features & Settings and click Calling Features.
- Scroll to 411 Directory Assistance Call Block and toggle ON or OFF.
Can you still get phone numbers by dialing 411?
Dial 1-800-FREE-411 (1-800-373-3411) from your phone. Since the service is sponsoed by advertisers, you’ll have to listen to a 10-second ad before you can speak. But the service is free, easy to remember, and easy to use.
What does calling 311 do?
311 is a non-emergency phone number that people can call in many cities to find information about services, make complaints, or report problems like graffiti or road damage. Even in cities where a different phone number is used, 311 is the generally recognized moniker for non-emergency phone systems.
How do you know your soul number?
The soul number reflects your most inner thoughts, habits, thoughts, and baseline reactions. This shows what you truly desire, and what you value most in this life. It’s reflective of your inner spirit and can’t be altered no matter what. To calculate your soul number, list out your full name, and extract the vowels.
Can you call 411 on a land line?
411 has now become a nationwide information system. Any individual can call 411 at any time of the day or night to get a phone number. This is true on land line and cellular phones.
What do you need to know about 411 search?
411 Search is directory assistance with automatic call completion. An operator will assist you when you request: Phone numbers. Addresses. Information for almost any place of interest, like restaurants, movies or the nearest florist. To reach 411 Search, simply call 4-1-1 from your mobile phone.
When is the best time to call 411?
411 has now become a nationwide information system. Any individual can call 411 at any time of the day or night to get a phone number.
Do you have to pay for the 411 service?
free directory assistance (via the 411 phone number), in most cases telephone customers are now charged a fee (typically $1.00 or more) for each directory assistance call. Despite the charges, U.S. consumers continue to avail themselves of the 411 directory assistance service,…
The term “411” is an Internet slang used in chat as a way to talk about communicating information.
Also, What does 42 mean in radio talk?
CB Radio Code and Lingo at CB World
| CB Terminology | Meaning or Translation |
|---|---|
| FM | An AM/FM radio. |
| 42 | Yes, or OK. |
| Four-Letter Word | Nobody wants to stop at the weigh station- that is why “OPEN” is considered a four-letter word in the trucking industry. When the weigh station is open. |
| Four Wheeler | Any passenger vehicle with four wheels. |
Accordingly, What does 411 mean biblically?
Angel Number 411 Biblical Meaning
The number 411 in biblical symbolism represents truthfulness, originality, and faithfulness. It is a representation of your guardian angels, who are guiding you down the right path at the right time.
in the same way What does 101 mean in slang?
101 means “Basic Introduction (as in English 101)” or “Laugh Out Loud.”
Why is it 411?
“Directory assistance” came to be known as “Information,” and by the early 1980s, 411 (usually pronounced “four-one-one”) was being used as a slang term for just that—information—and usually in the phrase “give me the 411 (on).”
What’s your 10 20 mean?
10-20. Denotes location, as in identifying one’s location (“My 20 is on Main Street and First”), asking the receiver what their current location or immediate destination is (“What’s your 20?”), or inquiring about the location of a third person (“Ok, people, I need a 20 on Little Timmy and fast”).
What’s the meaning of 10 4?
Roger that! 10-4 is a way of saying “message received” in radio communications. It’s also used as a way to “you got it.”
What is a 10 7 police code?
Police 10 Codes
| Code | General Purpose | APCO (Association of Police Communications Officers) |
|---|---|---|
| 10-5 | Relay | Relay To/From |
| 10-6 | Busy – Unless Urgent | Busy |
| 10-7 | Out of Service | Out of Service |
| 10-8 | In Service | In Service |
How do you know your soul number?
The soul number reflects your most inner thoughts, habits, thoughts, and baseline reactions. This shows what you truly desire, and what you value most in this life. It’s reflective of your inner spirit and can’t be altered no matter what. To calculate your soul number, list out your full name, and extract the vowels.
Why do I keep seeing 611?
When Angel Number 611 keeps showing up in your life, it means the Angels are sending you a powerful message that your soul takes into account and makes changes in your life. … So 611 is an Angel Number that indicates you need to reinvent yourself. Your Angels want to see the best version of you.
What is 333 Angel number?
Seeing 333 repeatedly may be a sign that a looming decision needs your attention. It’s a signal that your path ahead is clear for moving forward. The 333 angel number indicates that despite your fears, anxieties, mislaid plans, or wrong turns, you’re on the right path. The universe is urging you to keep going.
What does 101 mean in binary?
101 in binary is 1100101. Unlike the decimal number system where we use the digits 0 to 9 to represent a number, in a binary system, we use only 2 digits that are 0 and 1 (bits).
Why do you say 101?
101 (pronounced “one-oh-one”) is a topic for beginners in any area. … In American university course numbering systems, the number 101 is often used for an introductory course at a beginner’s level in a department’s subject area. This common numbering system was designed to make transfer between colleges easier.
What does 104 stand for?
Roger that! 10-4 is a way of saying “message received” in radio communications. It’s also used as a way to “you got it.”
Is 411 still available?
Wireless telephone directory
Consumers can opt in to listing their name and cellphone number with directory assistance services, such as 411. The information is currently not published in print or online directories.
What happens if you call 411?
411 Search is directory assistance with automatic call completion. An operator will assist you when you request: Phone numbers. Addresses.
What is the number 611 used for?
The number 611 is reserved in the U.S. and Canada for an immediate connection with a wireless service provider. The call is free, the number is easy to remember and it is a convenient way to check on a bill or inquire about other wireless services provided by a telephone carrier.
Is Son of a gun a bad word?
A ‘son of a gun’ is a rogue or scamp – “you are naughty, you old son of a gun”. The phrase is also used, although this is uncommon outside the USA, as a euphemism for ‘son of a bitch’.
What’s a 10 10 in police code?
10-10 Off duty. 10-10A Off duty at home.
What does Tango Yankee stand for?
“Tango Yankee” are two code words in the NATO phonetic alphabet that mean thank you. The flag proudly displays the five military emblems, Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
What is a 10 13 in police code?
For example, in the NYPD system, Code 10-13 means “Officer needs help,” whereas in the APCO system “Officer needs help” is Code 10–33.
What is a 10 42 police code?
This particular code is used to indicate an officer’s end of tour. While 10-42 is most frequently used when an officer has completed his tour of service for the day, it is also used in conjunction with funeral proceedings when an officer has been killed in the line of duty.
What does a 10 5 mean?
10-5 = Relay this information to (name of a person, officer, etc.) … The ceremony is typically conducted by the dispatcher issuing one last call to the officer, followed by a moment of silence.
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