Why do they say Oyea, oyea, oyea. in court cases of colonial america?

Question

Does it mean anything in latin? Does anyone know why they said it. Because I attended a witchcraft trial at Colonial Williamsburg, and the sheriff said that, so I was curious. Does Sheriff actaully mean something in old english? Because I have heard it does.

Answer 1

It's Oyez, and it's an Old English call to order

Answer 2

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RE:
Why do they say Oyea, oyea, oyea. in court cases of colonial america?
Does it mean anything in latin? Does anyone know why they said it. Because I attended a witchcraft trial at Colonial Williamsburg, and the sheriff said that, so I was curious. Does Sheriff actaully mean something in old english? Because I have heard it does.

Answer 3

It means Hear ye. It is used 3 times to introduce a opening of a court of law. It is French and the English used it when they were conquered by the Normans.

Answer 4

Oyez Stationery

Answer 5

I agree with those answers which say it is 'oyez,' meaning 'hear ye' which is Norman French which was used in the Law Courts in England and taken with them by the colonists. In England until quite recently we had 'Assizes of Oyez and Terminer'. Our major law stationers was 'Oyez Stationery' (until taken over)

Answer 6

That is what they used to say in court marriages before they changed the rules.

How did you make it out of the witchcraft trial alive? Both male and females were readily charged with witchcraft.

Answer 7

It is supposed to stand for 'Oh hear ye' in Medieval English. Like a lot of things it got shortened over time. So oyea, oyea,oyea. Sometimes it is oyez, oyez, oyez.

Answer 8

I believe that you mean "Oyez Oyez Oyez" which is said in the begining of court trials. This phrase is synonymous with the opening "hear ye, hear ye", which is also used.

The phrase "hear ye" is in old english. The word "hear" is self-explanatory. However, "ye" is not a term widely used in English today. In Elizabethean English, and possibly before that as well. In old English, "you", which is just one word in modern English, into two terms: "thee" for singular (one person) and "ye" for plural (two or more people). An equivalent is, if you know French, the difference between "tu" (you, singular) and "vous" (you, plural).

Therefore, when "ye" is used, it is in reference to a group of people. For example, when talking to a class in the role of a teacher, you may say: "Ye shall finish thy homework" rather than "You will finish your homework" in comparison to when talking to a friend, where you may say: "I wish that I may accompany thee" rather than "I with that I may accompany (or go with) you."

Back to the question you asked. "Hear ye" basically means "you listen", but "you" means "all of you", since "ye" is used rather than "thee". So, the court bailiff is announcing: "All of you listen. The court is now in session and His Honour Judge Whoever is presiding." (It's longer in some places.)

If you are still confused or interested to find out further about the differences between old English and modern English, send me an e-mail at [e-mail]. I'll be happy to explain to you in more detail and you'll understand why, although old English seems more confusing, once you get used to it, it is actually clearer than modern English.

**Note: the source below tells of the synonymity of the phrases "hear ye" and "oyez"

Answer 9

It should be: Oy Vay, Oy Vay, Oy Vay (here we go again).

Answer 10

Because the pirates had already taken "Yo, ho, ho, and a bottle of rum!"