What We Have Here Is Failure To Communicate

I just called a local company looking for a replacement lamp socket for my garage door opener. The answering service lady explained that the office was closed for lunch and should reopen about 1:30 pm. I asked if I should call back then at the number I just dialed and was told that I should.

My question is: Nobody DIALS any more do they? What should I have said? "Call back at..." doesn't count. I want to know what word now replaces "dial". Should I "press" the number I just pressed? And what if I "voice dialed" it? Woops...there's that word again. (It seems that phrase means almost nothing when you think about it)

Our useful words are quietly vanishing away. Attrition should be made of sterner stuff.


-- Dalton Hammond