2006-09-09 02:36:18 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
This is a disrespectful way of getting the attention of a member of the working class. Like "HEY YOU!" but more concise.
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2006-09-09 03:37:52 · answer #1 · answered by hudef 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why shouldn't we??!
Anyway, it's NOT used as a rude way of getting people's attention by 'civilised' Britons! Only by uncouth scum-bags, who think that shouting abuse at people is 'clever' or 'cool' in some bizarre way...!
Normally, the word 'OI!' is used when someone's doing something wrong - Americans might use the word 'Hey!' in it's place.
i.e. if you see that someone's stealing your car, "OI!!"
When you see that someone's just about to knock over your drink, "OI!"
When someone steps on your foot, "OI! @%$#!!!"
It's not normally (by civilised people,) used to get attention for any other reason than this sort of thing!
8 )
2006-09-09 21:23:59 · answer #2 · answered by _ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When "Oi" is used by a British person, it has no connection to the Yiddish "Oy" at all............separate utterance with different meaning. It is used as a way of getting someone's attention....as is mentioned above, but it isn't the same as "oy vey", just sounds the same.
2006-09-09 15:12:45 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oy vey! It's Yiddish actually. It roughly translates to "Oh my gosh!"
But I've never heard the Brittish use the phrase.
2006-09-09 03:15:45 · answer #4 · answered by Angela 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just what we say to get someone's attention, it can come across in quite a rude way tho.
2006-09-09 10:21:08 · answer #5 · answered by missy minx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont remember hearing them say that every country has a expression to just say oh like canada saying eh whats wrong with that?
2006-09-09 03:19:33 · answer #6 · answered by cozjeanda 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never heard it said
2006-09-09 03:29:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
why not?
2006-09-09 05:48:48 · answer #8 · answered by floppyduck339 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋