English
ay
Ay comes from Middle English ei.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500ei
- Englishearliest quotation 1559ay
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500ei
- Englishearliest quotation 1559ay
Earliest quotation: 1559, Lucius, The Preface to the Tragedye: “And ſuch as yet, coulde neuer weapon wꝛeſt, /…”
The story
From Middle English ei, ej, ey, eye, ultimately imitative of the natural utterance, although probably also influenced by Anglo-Norman and Old French ahi, Old French haï, and Middle French aï, aïe, ay.
Linked words
through Middle English ei
Today it means
intj Ah! alas! Expressing anger, alarm, frustration, pain, etc.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English ei / ay