- Digits, also known as numbers, came to be used as another word for phone number by the act of dialing numbers on a phone when calling someone. Likewise, in a way it resembles metonymy since the digits are a part of a phone number. Overall, people started using this term in this way to be creative and inventive. Usually used among teens and boys asking for females' phone numbers.
digits
noun zero derivation
phone number
Etymology : Originally known as numbers. Can now be used to refer to phone numbers.
Source : "Hey, can I get your digits?" (Rice student 2011)
Last modified: 2 December 2011