Crossword Genius

What the devil said when you rang his phone number? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hello

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This clue might be a double definition.

'what the devil said when you rang his' is the first definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'phone number?' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hello that I've seen before include "royals dominate its pages?" , "Musical with Satchmo and Streisand" , "Expression of greeting" , "Greeting - celebrity magazine" , "Common greeting as on phone" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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