Dog and bone is a British slang for telephone, but there are many other synonyms for this everyday object. In Australia, it is called a blower, while in the United States it is commonly known as a phone or a cellphone. The French would call it a telephone, and the Germans use the word telefon. In the world of technology, the term smartphone has become popular, while in the UK, mobile is often used as an abbreviation for mobile phone. The device has also been referred to as a landline, a cordless phone, a handset, a receiver, and a cell. Regardless of the name, the telephone remains a vital tool for communication in modern society.