Klondike

Dunjohn

Does anybody know the origin of this term and what it has to do with ficticious American telephone numbers? Wikipedia explains a little about the 555 prefix but not how it became known as "Klondike 5."

deman

The only Klondike that I ever was aware of was the card game.

No idea where its origin came from so can't help I'm afraid.

Jarren

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/klondike+river?qsrc=2446

Dunjohn

Hmm, that still doesn't explain what it has to do with phones.

"Klondike 5" is a way of saying the prefix "555," which is actually fictional, and most American shows use it to avoid accidently giving out a real number. But I can't find why the word "klondike" is used.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVWdf1Ky2bI

Donkey Oaty

It's all down to the letters/numbers used in US advertising.

"K-L" is "55" in telephone letters, and Kl is the abbreviation for Klondike.

Apparently there were no telephone exchanges in the US that used all three "5" letters (JKL), hence "Klondike 5" for "555".

Dunjohn

Wow, that'a obscure. Thanks!

deman

Donkey Oaty wrote: »

It's all down to the letters/numbers used in US advertising.

"K-L" is "55" in telephone letters, and Kl is the abbreviation for Klondike.

Apparently there were no telephone exchanges in the US that used all three "5" letters (JKL), hence "Klondike 5" for "555".

Oh that's it. It's so obvious now! :pac::rolleyes: