In the early days of telephony, manual switchboards required human operators to physically connect circuits using patch cords. Because telephone companies almost exclusively hired young women for their perceived polite voices and patience, the public and industry insiders alike dubbed them with this nickname. The role eventually vanished as automated electromechanical exchanges replaced manual routing.
Heard on the job
My grandmother worked as a hello girl at the central exchange, plugging cords for eight hours a day.
Insider tip
This term is strictly historical and generally only comes up when discussing the origins of the telecom industry or early central office equipment.