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
Latham	['leiθəm]
Iona (1)	ie-ON-ə (English)	English, Scottish
BrÁS	-	Portuguese
TadeÁŠ	-	Czech, Slovak
Eunike	-	Biblical Greek, Ancient Greek
ZoË	ZO-ee (English)	Dutch, English