In addition to convenience and the ability to do things we never could have imagined, technology has given us new words and phrases. Every year or two, the Webster Dictionary folks officially add new words to the dictionary. The AP and New York Times recently added new items to their style books, many of them springing from new technology. Cellphone, for example, recently became a single word.
Here's another one that should be added -- butt call.
Unlike "booty call," a butt call happens when you mistakenly make a call on your cellphone by bumping your phone in your pocket or purse, causing it to call the last number dialed. I get a few butt calls every week -- most of them from my wife and from my friend and co-worker Bambe.
If you've received them, you know how annoying butt calls can be. You answer and then you end up saying, a few times, hello -- with no answer. Sometimes you'll hear swishing noises from muffled street sounds and conversation.
Butt calls can be more than an annoyance. The NYPD recently reported that nearly 40 percent of the calls to 911 in a recent month were unintentional butt calls. Toronto reported similar statistics.
In the car yesterday with my wife, she got a text from our daughter. It read: "Another butt call from you. I must get at least one day from you."
A few minutes later, another text came through from her. It said: "Another butt call from Gram? Jack (our 6-year old grandson) says Gram has to get control of her butt."
Technology! Kids! Gotta love 'em both.