[wellylug] linux conf in Dunedin
pmilne at paradise.net.nz
pmilne at paradise.net.nz
Tue Jan 24 18:14:03 NZDT 2006
Quoting Andrew Stephen <andrew at evil.geek.nz>:
> On 1/22/06, Matt <matt-lists at comnet.net.nz> wrote:
> [snip]
> >
> > What's the 411?
>
> Nine eleven minus five hundred?
>
A long time ago Ma Bell decided to allocate a series of service numbers and
decided on X11 where X=2-9. Of course 911 is the best known of the series.
There was a need to keep clear of possible letter codes eg PENnsylvania 5000
(later PE 6-5000 in the Glen Miller tune) and future long distance allocations
(where the middle digit of the area code was always 0 or 1 - originally you just
dialled the area code, at least in New Youk and other major centres - no need
for the 1 prefix as now).
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