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
Tobiasz	TAW-byahsh	Polish
Mandeep	-	Indian (Sikh)
Gull	-	Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Lashonda	-	African American
Barlow	['ba:ləu]
Marian (2)	MAHR-yahn (Polish)	Polish, Czech, Romanian