Why is a phone called a blower?

In British English, “blower” is slang for a telephone, derived from the older speaking tubes used on ships. These tubes, which predated telephones, utilized whistles at each end to signal and communicate, hence the association with blowing to get someone’s attention. The term was later applied to the telephone as a similar means of voice communication.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Speaking Tubes:
Before telephones, ships used speaking tubes, which were essentially pipes with whistles at each end.
Blowing to Communicate:
To get someone’s attention on the other end, a person would blow into their end of the tube, causing the whistle at the other end to sound.
Slang Usage:
This “blowing” action led to the slang term “blower” for the speaking tube itself.
Telephone Connection:
When telephones were introduced, the term “blower” was transferred to them as they provided a similar function of voice communication.
Modern Usage:
While “blower” is an old-fashioned term, it’s still understood in Britain as a slang way to refer to a telephone.