I used the phrase "OI!" to get someone's attention at work because I like the way it sounds. Heard it in a lotta British flicks I've seen, so I threw it out there. Another woman at work got offended because she said it means "Hey sh*thead". Is this right? Should I not use it at work?
2007-06-26 03:49:29 · 13 answers · asked by warpedelements 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
In Japanese, "oi" means "hey!!" It is used to get someones attention.
2007-06-26 04:46:30 · answer #1 · answered by null 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes what is good in one language could serve a wrong meaning in another language or culture. At work nowadays it's international envoirnment, where you have to be very careful and should understand the inter-cultural difference. May be in her culture it's not a good thing.
let me explain you by one example, with using hands how do we say perfect, or supereb....that sign in one country from South America( I cant remember the name now) is an insult and if you make that gesture of hand there, you would probably in trouble.
It's not bad to respect other's feeling...
2007-06-26 04:17:02 · answer #2 · answered by VC 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where I'm from "Oi!" is an old punk phrase. It means "Hey!", it's a totally innocuous phrase/word/sound. Whoever that woman is needs to get a clue and lighten up.
2007-06-26 03:58:02 · answer #3 · answered by FTW 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't mean hey shithead. Oi is from oy vey, which is a yiddish phrase. If people are jewish the phrase may be misconstrued, but generally speaking it is not offensive.
2007-06-26 03:52:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The question is how politically correct do you intend to be? You didn't mean it in an offensive manner, however, that one woman is hyper-sensitive to what she mistakenly believes that expression meant. I guess it all comes down to who you are going to cater to, the public at large or the minority that are predisposed to take offense.
2007-06-26 03:54:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you add an NK to the end, I can see how a fat chick would be offended.
2007-06-26 04:28:36 · answer #6 · answered by BAL 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
oi means hey. i read it in harry potter. and it's not like harry potter's offensive. unless you think wizards are satan so never mind that argument .
2007-06-26 03:54:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
it depends on what you say after it ... like oi listen to me is not... oi you smelly tramp is
2007-06-26 03:53:54 · answer #8 · answered by Big D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never say it at a bris.
2007-06-26 04:02:27 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
where is she from mars ?? it doesn't mean that i use it when i cant think of someones name
2007-06-26 04:23:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋