Do you understand the phrase "411" instantly and automatically?

[american_mama]

I have always wanted to ask this. Does the phrase "411" instantly make sense to you, as in the books "Baby 411"? I know that some may get it if you think for a second, but do you have instant-recognition-don't-even-have-to-think-about-it understanding?

The prhase does not have instant, automatic recognition to me. I am 90% sure it means getting information on a subject, that it's a number you dial to get phone numbers. I have called it on occasion. But I don't know if it exists everywhere around the country, or if the number (and thus the phrase) is an invention of the last 10ish years.

Personally, I suspect understanding 411 instantly as a phrase is either regional and/or age related. I think the number and/or phrase has been common in California and the west, and in hiphop songs, for a while. But I live on the east coast and don't listen to much music.

So, vote for all that apply to you. It's not about whether you understand 411 as in "Baby 411", but if you understand it instantly and automatically.


eta: Not a great poll because I'm trying to get too much info. for one question, but do the best you can. Vote for region of country as you see your state... is it more western, midwestern, or eastern. If you're Canadian, I guess vote for your provice as best described by those adjectives. Didn't have room to be any more specific than that.

[LMPC]

Yes, I get that "411" refers to information. I thought it was fairly pervasive in the lexicon that to "get the 411" or "to have the 411" meant to get or have the information. I'm surprised that it might be more regional than that.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I imagine if I were more patient there'd be a poll. But, I get it immediately. It's not an expression I use normally but I have used it.

Beth

[infocrazy]

I understand it, but I wouldn't use it in a sentence...

[jent]

Yep, I do. I don't consider myself that hip or up to date on popular music (ie, if it hasn't been on Glee I probably don't know it), but I remember when it became a popular phrase my sister and I would use it jokingly. ("Hey, how are you, what's the 411?")

[WatchingThemGrow]

I remember dialing it to get phone numbers. Does it still work?

When I *see* 411 though, it makes me think of the delicious (favorite) restaurant nearby where I had a great time with some preschool moms last week :)

[BayGirl2]

I think it came into the vocab back around when the movie "Clueless" was out - which was maybe late 80's early 90's? I think its a fairly popular concept - based on 411 being the universal "info" number to dial in the US. I don't think its at all related to current pop culture or a specific type of music like hip hop.

Yes, you can still dial 411 to get information - although you may get charged now. I'm 37 and on the West Coast but have known of the phrase since I was on the East Coast, which was 10+ years ago.

[crl]

I get it immediately. I am over 40 and live in CA so I voted accordingly. But I am a transplant and have known the phrase for years, certainly which living on the East Coast.

Catherine

[TwinFoxes]

I know it immediately and I actually think it's dated. I can't remember the last time I called 411, it was pre-smart phone. :) According to Wikipedia, 411 was/is the national directory assistance number for USA/Canada.

[wellyes]

Number slang....

411
133t
1-8-7
To the 9s
86
69
808
4-F

That's all I can think of right now.

[deborah_r]

I voted "No and I live in the West" but I am from New England originally. I'm not sure if I grew up here if it would be something I was more familiar with. I do have to stop and think what it means.

[JoyNChrist]

Yes, and I'm 25. I wasn't sure what to vote for region...I always just label myself as from the south.

[Snow mom]

Number slang....

411
133t
1-8-7
To the 9s
86
69
808
4-F

That's all I can think of right now.

Hmmm, some of these I don't know. I'm kind of afraid to google though ;)

Yes, I know instantly what 411 is and could use it in a sentence (although I don't often.) I grew up in CA and I'm sure I knew what it was before leaving there.

[Reyadawnbringer]

I know it immediately and I actually think it's dated. I can't remember the last time I called 411, it was pre-smart phone. :) According to Wikipedia, 411 was/is the national directory assistance number for USA/Canada.

:yeahthat: 411 is actually a very dated term these days, IMO


Yes, and I'm 25. I wasn't sure what to vote for region...I always just label myself as from the south.

:yeahthat: the south was left off the region. I live in the south but am not from here so /shrug

[JamiMac]

I remember calling (1)411 from as far back as early childhood. I don't think it's a recent term at all regarding phone useage. I automatically think "info" when I hear it. I do think it's kind of vintage now because most people don't call 411 anymore. I've lived all over too.

[lizzywednesday]

Yes, I have "instant" recognition on what "411" is.

I am in the 31-39 age range and live on the East Coast.

I haven't considered it dated, but I usually use "scoop" or "skinny" for describing information to friends and family.

[g-mama]

Yes, I know it immediately. I think of it as slang for "information." My dh calls me on the phone and says, "What's the 411?" very often. But we're old. ;)

[kdeunc]

I remember dialing it to get phone numbers. Does it still work?

When I *see* 411 though, it makes me think of the delicious (favorite) restaurant nearby where I had a great time with some preschool moms last week :)

I :heartbeat: 411 and its "sister" 518! :)

[daisymommy]

It takes me about 5 seconds to remember what it means. So, not as automatic as when someone says "911" for instance. I think that's just because I don't hear it in conversation everyday. I also have only dialed 411 about a dozen times in my life, so it's not ingrained in my head.

[Melaine]

Under 30, from the Deep South, instant recognition for me. I agree with pp that the term is dated IMO.

[zoestargrove]

dangerously close to 40 and from the east all my life and I instantly knew that 411 was code for getting information.

I have no idea what the other number codes mentioned were though...so, my knowing 411 is apparently a fluke of using that service when I was younger and not because I'm cool.

[DietCokeLover]

Over 37 and know it instantly.

Need a southern category.

[american_mama]

I am amazed the people who say they have been dialing this their whole life. I am from upstate New York, not a happening place, born in 1970 and don't think I ever heard of 411 until I was in my 20's. As a child, to dial information, we just dialed 0.

We also didn't get a 911 service in my city (Syracuse, NY population about 200,000) until I was at least a teenager. Before that, you just called the local police or fire emergency number, I guess. So until at least the mid 1980's, dialing 911 accomplished nothing where I lived.

[indigo99]

It's very "old school" although I'm sure that younger people don't even realize where it came from. I agree that "the south" is its own region. I don't consider myself from the east although that's how I answered. However, I live in a city here in the south where we did have 411. I can remember in smaller towns that you just called up the operator to be put through when you didn't know the number, and they didn't have 7 digits in the phone numbers. I'm 34 and feeling older every day.

[g-mama]

I am amazed the people who say they have been dialing this their whole life. I am from upstate New York, not a happening place, born in 1970 and don't think I ever heard of 411 until I was in my 20's. As a child, to dial information, we just dialed 0.



I grew up in the East and am 41. We used to dial 411 to get someone's phone number my whole life. Of course, my mom made us look it up in the phone book because you only got three free 411 calls per month; use it any more than that and each call would cost 25 cents on your phone bill. :)

And now, when I call "information" on my cell phone, I press "411" and they answer, "Verizon 411...city and state, please."

[MomToOne]

This is how I know it:
What's the 411? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90c9pEtZquw)

(you're either going to get this or scratch your head in youthful confusion :p )

[SnuggleBuggles]

I remember dialing it to get phone numbers. Does it still work?

When I *see* 411 though, it makes me think of the delicious (favorite) restaurant nearby where I had a great time with some preschool moms last week :)

I **loved** that restaurant when we lived in that neck of the woods!! I'd go back just to eat there.

Beth

[kijip]

First, I think information. Then I think Grand Puba and Mary J. Blige. What's the 411, hon, What's the 411, hon?

A yo.

[AnnieW625]

I haven't truly dialed 411 in many years since I found out about 800-Free 411. I am a California native.

[MoJo]

"no" and over 37. I know it vaguely, but I've never heard anyone use it in conversation, nor had I read it as a substitute for "information" until this thread, and I have only heard one person use it for directory assistance. I know it so little I usually ask DH to make sure it's really "411."

[C99]

I guess from the poll results, it would seem that the vast majority of people know what it is.