prank
v.— «Most people born after about 1977 will know that “pranking” is when you call someone up on their mobile phone but hang up immediately afterwards. It’s entered the vernacular as a verb, for example, “I’ll prank you,” or “just prank me.” When you prank someone, your number flashes up on their screen and is registered as a missed call. Your friend (or parents) can then call you back at their own expense and no cost to you.» —“Phone credit low? Just prank me” by Judy Skatssoon Mercury (Hobart, Tasmania, Australia) Sept. 26, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Mary Beth in Greenville, South Carolina, wonders: Why do we say four-oh-nine for the number 409 instead of four-zero-nine or four-aught-nine? What are the rules for saying either zero or oh or aught or ought to indicate that arithmetical symbol...
Astronauts returning from space say they experience what’s called the overview effect, a new understanding of the fragility of our planet and our need to reflect on what humans all share as a species. A book about the end of the universe...
Also called “beeping” in Africa, according to this Reuters story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070926/od_nm/africa_beeping1_dc