Hold the phone

Posted by Henry February 01, 2004In reply to Hold the phone posted by rose on February 01, 2004

I cannot find anywhere where this quote originated from! Does anyone know>?

From Bartleby; hold on 1. To maintain one's grip; cling. 2. To continue to do something; persist. 3. To wait for something wanted or requested, especially to keep a telephone connection open.

Hold on (to the handset) physically?
Hold on ie wait? Although this sense may come from or be reinforced by telephone usage?