Why do some Americans say 'hey' instead of 'hi' or 'hello'?

Question

The word 'hi' or 'hello' is the a universal word used to greet someone. The word 'hey' is used to 'attract attention or as an expression of surprise' (Dictionary definition). So why do Americans use this word as a greeting term?

Answer 1

Well firstly I think because Americans like to be different. Secondly simply because when they address to someone they think they're on the fields addressign to the cattle. Don't forget the majority of Americans are peasants.

Answer 2

Because much like all that other word evolution, "hey" was once used as an attention getter. If you're in a crowd and say to someone "How are you doing?" they may not answer you. But if you say "Hey! How are you doing?", you have their attention at "hey" and they tend to respond better. So subconciously we prefer to use that term and over time the term has expanded to being used as a greeting in general, because it was so popular.
However, if you want to make a quick point that it is your opinion that they should use "hello"instead, you should respond with "straw" or "---is for horses."

Answer 3

did you know that 'hello'
is an americanizition of brit 'halloo'
which was once commonly used to hail a cab
when 'cabs' were horse drawn carriages
and the american standard of answering the telly
(i'm using 'brit-speak' now)
is derived from that
alexander graham bell
-- inventor of the telephone --
was a navy man
and the term 'ahoy, ahoy!'
was used to get attention
but thomas edison used a form of 'halloo'
and thus 'hello' become standard
hey and hi are obvious derivitaves of hello
and 'yo' is a derivation of 'you'
'ay, yo ,wassup?'
'halloo, you, what is important in your world today?'
living languages morph everyday
(look at text/chat speak)

Answer 4

The best solution is to gain control over it. As someone already said, stop when you're getting there and relax. Pay more attention to pleasuring your mate--orally, perhaps--and avoid rubbing your penis up against anything while doing so. It will take work on your part and patience on both parts. Learn here http://EndPrematureEjaculation.enle.info/?4sg1

As a last resort, some antidepressants curb sexual functioning with the intention of learning the pleasure of restraint after which you could taper off them. Here's your goal: the longer you can delay your orgasm, the more intense it will be. So it isn't just a matter of satisfying your mate. This is the main reason some claim stoned sex is better, unlike drunk sex which can leave you unable to perform (brewer's droop). You enjoy exploring each other longer. And remember, oral isn't just one place. It's all over, paying particular attention to kissing, and TALK about what each of you like. Strange how people don't talk about sex when they're the ones doing it.

Answer 5

No real harm done.Agree that hey usually means look or similar.Some cockney Londoners say wotcha as a greeting.Perhaps it is just a bit of wanting to be different.

Answer 6

The use of words is ever-changing. "Hey" being one of them I guess. I think of the hay that you feed horses. LOL!
Back in the early 1900's "gay" meant "happy", now it means that you prefer the same sex. So, as with any word, give it time and it's meaning will change.

Answer 7

Hey is a slang word just like hi...it denotes "attention" though and that is what they're looking for

Answer 8

Just a variation on Hello, Hi, Hola, etc.. etc..

Answer 9

Becoz they are very informal people and the first ones to form slangs...i think!

Answer 10

If you meet an American and he/she says 'Hey!' as a greeting to you, then you should reply 'Straw!' to greet him/her.