ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the rich terminology of the mobile phone in various European languages, from the Belgian “GSM” to the French “portable,” and from the Italian “cellulare” to the German “Handy.” What do these different terms promise, proscribe, and “technicize”? Which techniques and gestures are imbedded in brand names like BlackBerry and iPhone, or in more generic terms, such as cell phone and PDA? And why did the term “smartphone” never really kick off in everyday language? These questions are at the basis of a personal journey that takes the form of a terminological reflection with forays into the history of confectionary, literacy, smileys, and gaming. Ultimately, it briefly considers the phone’s role in the creation of a new type of cinema.
