is it, interjectional phrase

Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Calque formed on Afrikaans is dit? is that so?
colloquial
A rhetorical expression equivalent to ‘really?’ ‘is that so?’, conveying polite interest, astonishment, or incredulity. Cf. isn’t it.
1970 Beeton & Dorner in Eng. Usage in Sn Afr. Vol.1 No.2, 33Is it? Meaningless S. Afr. colloquialism for ‘Is that so?’, eg ‘I am going to town this morning’ — ‘Is it?’
1970 J. Stodel Informant, Cape Town, Western Cape‘I came by car you know.’ ‘Oh, is it?’ (‘Is that so?’ ‘really?’ ‘You don’t mean to say?’)
1972 R. Malan Ah Big Yaws 55Uzzit? Uzzitay? Very useful in the sort of conversation where you’re not quite sure what your reaction should be. As in: A: ‘You see, this cable leads from the carburettor to the distributor and that activates the differential.’ B: ‘Uzzit?’
1972 Star 15 Nov. 18In South Africa one can actually carry on a conversation quite easily by using only four words: ‘Shame,’ ‘Hey’ and ‘Is it?’
1973 J. Cope Alley Cat 96‘Next time you see him he may have begun to talk.’ ‘Is it!’ ‘Yes, God willing.’
1978 M. Tlali in Staffrider Vol.1 No.3, 4‘They’re so mad about it. Even Maria read it.’ ‘Is it. I am very happy to hear that.’
1987 Informant, Grahamstown (now Makhanda, Eastern Cape)‘The people bought it in 1920 and converted it into a house.’ ‘Is it?’
1990 [see kif].
A rhetorical expression equivalent to ‘really?’ ‘is that so?’, conveying polite interest, astonishment, or incredulity.
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idiomatic
colloquial
isijita, nounn.Isithwalandwe, nounn.
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