hey, interjection

/heɪ/
Origin:
EnglishShow more Special senses of general English.
colloquial
Note:
Cf. hoor.
1. Added to a statement or a question: a request for an utterance to be repeated; a request for confirmation of what has been said; used to turn a statement into a question, inviting agreement.
1900 H. Blore Imp. Light Horseman 268The sentry, evidently a young Boer who had been educated in the Cape Colony, replied, ‘Well, ta-ta, pr’aps I see you again to-morrow night, hey?’
c1929 S. Black in S. Gray Three Plays (1984) 66He’s quite an intellectual, hey?
a1951 H.C. Bosman Willemsdorp (1977) 188‘You chain smokes, hey?’ the detective remarked.
1961 T. Matshikiza Choc. for my Wife 31He only needs to direct people and the traffic with his hands, hey Daddy.
1961 T. Matshikiza Choc. for my Wife 51‘Isn’t it a small world, hey?’
1969 A. Fugard Boesman & Lena 3It was funny hey Boesman!
1970 J. McIntosh Stonefish 257‘Julian,’ she said, ‘I renounce you.’ ‘Hey?’ ‘Not “Hey?” “What?” Or, “I beg your pardon?”’
1971 J. McClure Steam Pig (1973) 97‘Not so busy you can’t listen to serials on Springbok, hey?’ The transistor set was poorly concealed.
1971 Drum May 42But life’s funny, hey?
c1986 P. Firth in Eng. Alive 32‘You’re in standard nine, hey?’ ‘Ja. You as well?’
1987 M. Poland Train to Doringbult 190Why don’t we have a big party, hey Elsie?..It’s been so bladdy boring..— don’t you think?
2. Added to an instruction or command to soften it, by implying that the assent of the one addressed is being sought.
1953 D. Jacobson Long Way from London 63You must drive slowly, hey, so that they can keep up, for your own good.
1963 M.G. McCoy Informant, Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha), Eastern CapeI shall be longing to hear what you did.., so don’t delay, hey?!
1973 Eng. Alive 55Bye Beauty, tell ma we’ll write hey, okay?
1975 S. Roberts Outside Life’s Feast 61‘Totsiens Tannie.’ ‘Ag goodbye my boy...come again hey!’
3. Added to a question to insist on an answer, or to indicate that the question refers to something which the one addressed ought to take note of, or pay attention to.
1956 D. Jacobson Dance in Sun 24What do you think of that — hey?
1961 T. Matshikiza Choc. for my Wife 37‘Can you drink, jong, hey?’ ‘Yes, Baas Smitty.’
1964 M.G. McCoy Informant, Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha), Eastern CapeI even know what a hootenanny is, so how’s that for culture, hey?
c1966 M. Jabour in New S. Afr. Writing 91Donder, now what’s the matter with the thing, hey? Cohen said it was in perfect condition.
1975 ‘Blossom’ in Darling 26 Feb. 111‘So what happens when they come crashing down on top of us, hey?’ I whisper in he’s ear.
1988 D. Samuelson in Fair Lady 16 Mar. 133Why did Oema have to do that, hey Oema, hey? How long would it take, hey Oema? What is a borshin hey Oema?
4. Added to a statement to give it emphasis, or to retain the attention of the one addressed, through an implied request for a reply of some sort (when no reply is, in fact, required).
1975 J. McClure Snake (1981) 162‘Do I make myself clear?’ ‘Yes, lady. I’m sorry, hey?’
1975 Sunday Times 23 Feb. 16There, confronting me on the plate, were two completely white eggs...The white was white and the yolk was white. Yiss, it was only weird, hey.
1985 P. Slabolepszy Sat. Night at Palace 33Clint..comes bashing through the door...He takes one look at ou Shirley — you know Clint hey — sommer in the bath, guns and all! It turns out, hey — turns out she’s a prostitute — in disguise as a nun.
1986 B. Simon in S. Gray Market Plays 113You don’t sukkel with anybody like that. I’m right hey.
1987 M. Poland Train to Doringbult 128‘How many chaps do you want?’ ‘Five or six. Thanks hey.’
1993 Informant, Grahamstown (now Makhanda, Eastern Cape)‘Yissus, Bonnie!’ ‘I didn’t say that!’ ‘That’s lank rude, hey!’
a request for an utterance to be repeated; a request for confirmation of what has been said; used to turn a statement into a question, inviting agreement.
Added to an instruction or command to soften it, by implying that the assent of the one addressed is being sought.
Added to a question to insist on an answer, or to indicate that the question refers to something which the one addressed ought to take note of, or pay attention to.
Added to a statement to give it emphasis, or to retain the attention of the one addressed, through an implied request for a reply of some sort (when no reply is, in fact, required).
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heuweltjie, nounn.hiccup-nut, nounn.
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