oy¹

[oi] /ɔɪ/

interjection

(used to express dismay, pain, annoyance, grief, etc.)

Also, oi.

Origin

1890-95; < Yiddish

oy²

[oi] /ɔɪ/

noun, Scot.

a grandchild.

Obsolete. a nephew or niece.

Also, oe.

Origin

1425-75; late Middle English (north and Scots) o(o), oy(e) < Scots Gaelic ogha; see O'

Contemporary definitions for oy

interjection

an exclamation of dismay or exasperation; also written oi ; also called oy vay , oy vey

Examples

It is snowing again! Oy!

Word Origin

Yiddish

Word Origin and History for oy

Yiddish exclamation of dismay, 1892, American English. Extended form oy vey (1959) includes Yiddish vey, from German Weh "woe" (see woe).

Slang definitions & phrases for oy

interjection

An exclamation of multiple significance: Oy may be employed to express anything from ecstasy to horror

[1892+; fr Hebrew]

Related Abbreviations for oy