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eh

Etymology and origin of the French word eh

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Onomatopoeia
First attested
c. 1050, Vie de saint Alexis

Pronunciation

Etymology

It is an interjection of onomatopoeic origin.[2][3][4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found as E ! about 1050 in the Vie de saint Alexis.[2][6]

Semantic evolution

It serves to call someone, draw attention or strengthen the word it precedes (eh oui !).[6] Doubled, eh ! eh ! (after 1650), it hints at something left unsaid, ironic or saucy; repeated, it also transcribes laughter.[6][4][2] Eh bien (17th century) marks the speaker's feelings or introduces a new point.[6]

Timeline

  • c. 1050 – E ! in the Vie de saint Alexis.[2]
  • 14th century – The spelling eh.[6]
  • 17th century – Eh bien.[6]
  • After 1650 – Eh ! eh ![6]

Meanings

Interjection

  1. hey: a call to attract attention: Eh ! là-bas ![4]
  2. Strengthening the next word: eh oui !, eh bien.[6][4]
  3. Eh ! eh !: a knowing, ironic or saucy hint; also a transcription of laughter.[4][2]

References

  1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
  3. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 3, 199a
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
Cite this entry

“Eh.” Etymologically, 18 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/eh. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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