- ofay
- noun Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1925 usually disparaging a white person
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
ofay
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ofay — (n.) American English black slang, white person, 1925, of unknown origin. If, as is sometimes claimed, it derives from an African word, none corresponding to it has been found. Perhaps the most plausible speculation is Yoruba ófé to disappear (as … Etymology dictionary
ofay — [ō′fā΄] n. Slang a white person: a term of contempt … English World dictionary
ofay — 1. noun /ˈəʊfeɪ/ a white person. The rival, the foe, the ofay, veins stretched and bulged between white knuckles. 2. adjective /ˈəʊfeɪ/ white, white skinned. ‘Baby,’ April Elgar said, ‘you may be an uptight ofay milk toast limey bastard, but you… … Wiktionary
ofay — n American a white person. The word is said to be a backslang version of foe in black American slang of the late 1960s. Another pro posed etymology is the Yoruba word ofe, meaning a ju ju or charm. The word probably originated earlier in the 20th … Contemporary slang
ofay — /oh fay/, n. Slang (disparaging and offensive). a white person. Also, fay. [1920 25, Amer.; of obscure orig.; the popular notion that the word is a Pig Latin deformation of foe is very dubious] * * * … Universalium
ofay — n. (Offensive USA Slang) white person … English contemporary dictionary
ofay — [ əʊfeɪ] noun US informal (among black people) a derogatory term for a white person. Origin 1920s: from au fait, in the sense genteel … English new terms dictionary
ofay — o•fay [[t]ˈoʊ feɪ[/t]] also fay III, n. usage: This term is a slur and should be avoided. It is used with disparaging intent and is perceived as highly insulting. off sts sl.: extr. disp. and off. (a contemptuous term used to refer to a white… … From formal English to slang
ofay — /oʊˈfeɪ/ (say oh fay) noun US Colloquial (derogatory) (racist) a white person. {origin uncertain} …
ofay — n. US sl. offens. a White person (esp. used by Blacks). Etymology: 20th c.: prob. of Afr. orig … Useful english dictionary
