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
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    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
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      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
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      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
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        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
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          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
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            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.

          • marron12@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            FWIW, “handy” in the sense of “handjob” isn’t that common (U.S., over 25). I mostly hear it and use it in the sense of “useful, good to have or know.” That’s pretty handy, that could come in handy.

            Plus, I can’t imagine I would ever interpret Handy as a handjob if you pronounced it the German way (Hendy). I would just go “huh” because that doesn’t register as a word in English. I’ve been told that the vowels in the German Handy and the English handy sound really similar to native German speakers. But as a native English speaker, they’re worlds apart.

            Not trying to change your mind or anything. Just thought I’d give you a different perspective.

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

              Just stating what my US american friend from MA and his entire family said to me.

              Edit: Also, not talking about something being handy, I’m talking about “a handy”.