trunk call

American  

noun

Chiefly British.

1. a long-distance phone call.

---

trunk call British  

noun

1. a long-distance telephone call

---

Etymology

Origin of trunk call

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

That would make it a trunk call - get it?

From Children's BBC • Jun. 25, 2012

While the landlady, therefore, ordered the tea, Everard went out to the public telephone, asked for a trunk call, and rang up No. 169 Balderton.

From The Princess of the School by Wiles, Frank

When, twenty minutes later, Mr. Jeekes emerged from the trunk call telephone box in the club vestibule, his mouth was drooping at the corners and his hands trembled curiously.

From The Yellow Streak by Williams, Valentine

The telephone squealed shrilly; it was a trunk call from Nemesis.

From The Toys of Peace, and other papers by Saki

A financial editor of a responsible journal does not talk freely with any unknown man who rings him up on a hasty trunk call.

From Swirling Waters by Rittenberg, Max

Related Words

• local call
• long-distance call
• phone call
• telephone conversation