2007-10-02 10:38:15 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
oi,, dosent mean anything really its used to grab attention sometimes it can mean stop doing that it means whatever its meant to mean
2007-10-02 10:44:30 · answer #1 · answered by itaylior 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I live in Manchester, and we only use "Oi" to signify that someone is doing something they shouldn't or being cheeky. If we just want to get someone's attention, without implying they're misbehaving, we say "eeyar", which is a corruption of "here you are", instead. Most of the rest of the country would use "Oi" for both.
2007-10-03 06:22:29 · answer #2 · answered by LucyB18 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Was it just "oi!" which might be said if you pushed in front of someone in a queue to register their disapproval or was it "oi, oi, what have we got here then?" which might be said by a stereotypical british bobby (policeman) whilst bending knees and stretching braces. This means 'I suspect you of some criminal activity and I'm going to arrest you if I can'.
n.b. The phrase 'Hello, hello, hello' could also be used in the latter case.
2007-10-02 18:05:11 · answer #3 · answered by TRM 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a shortening of the words use by the old town crier to grab peoples attention, in fact still used in some towns and City's in the UK today, " OH YEAH", OI.
2007-10-02 18:01:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oi! is a method of quickly getting someone's attention, it is considered to be less than polite; be careful who you use it on.
2007-10-04 05:41:41 · answer #5 · answered by elflaeda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oi can imply mild to considerable displeasure at something someone is doing. It all depends on tone of voice.
2007-10-03 07:35:23 · answer #6 · answered by Juno 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
usually said to get someones attention e.g. oi you. Don't think its really got a meaning just a slang, slightly unfriendly way of getting someones attention
2007-10-02 17:42:55 · answer #7 · answered by Stephen M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
'Oi' might be seen as unfriendly, however, if you say 'oi oi' especially in chat rooms or msn it's friendly banter.
2007-10-02 20:32:50 · answer #8 · answered by cadenza 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means 'hey you'! as in Oi! You with the bald 'ead!
2007-10-02 17:42:19 · answer #9 · answered by proud walker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We Brits shout "OI" to gain your attention.
You Americans shout "HEY" similarly.
2007-10-03 07:55:17 · answer #10 · answered by Terry G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋