Definition
A shared telephone line serving multiple households or businesses, where several parties would use the same line and could potentially hear each other's conversations. Users had to take turns making calls, and privacy was minimal.
Example Usage
Growing up, my family shared a party line with three other neighbors, so I had to wait my turn to use the phone.
Origin
Common in rural and suburban areas throughout the early-to-mid 20th century; arose from the economics of extending telephone infrastructure to multiple addresses.
Fun Fact
Party line users developed an etiquette of not listening in on others' calls, though eavesdropping was technically possible and sometimes occurred—especially during particularly juicy gossip.
Related Terms
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See “party line” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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