hot line

A telephone line that gives quick and direct access to a source of information or help. For example, Our state has an AIDS hot line in every county. This term was originally (and is still) used for a direct link between heads of government for use during a crisis, but was quickly extended to wider applications. [1950s]

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Lucila	-	Spanish
Esi	-	Western African, Akan
Toivo	TOY-vo	Finnish
Haunani	-	Hawaiian
Hazel	HAY-zəl	English
Erdenechimeg	-	Mongolian