Try explaining party lines. I double-dog-dare you. :)

The Wife was explaining this to a younger friend (really only about 10 years younger), about 10 years ago. My father-in-law was a rural pastor before he retired. Keeping The Old Biddies (tm) off the line while Pastor was trying to conduct church business with confidentiality issues was a constant battle.

She didn't believe us until she got home and researched it. Online. We got an apology email a few days later.

A lot of alcohol may have been involved. It was one of those parties.