hi English · revision 3241

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=onomatopoeia|attested=c. 1475}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /haɪ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|hy]],^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) probably a variant of Middle English hei, [[hey]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) a natural exclamation.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An exclamation to attract attention: probably before 1500,^(Barnhart 1988) about 1475,^(OED 1989) or the 15th century.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a greeting it is from 1862, in American English,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) first recorded in a reference to the speech of a Kansas Indian.^(Etymonline) The Century Dictionary (1902) still defined it only as an exclamation of surprise or admiration, often ironic, so its development as a greeting mostly took place in the early 20th century.^(Etymonline) In 1922 Emily Post's ''Etiquette'' warned that it should never be said in answer to a formal introduction, though it was universally used by the young.^(Etymonline) ''Hiya'' is from 1940.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1475 – a call for attention.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1862 – a greeting (American English).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1922 – disapproved by Emily Post.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1940 – ''hiya''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Interjection===

+ # Used as a [[greeting]]; [[hello]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # ''(dated)'' Used to attract attention.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[hey]]

+ * [[hello]]

+ * [[hiya]]

+ * [[high]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Hi'' is also an informal spelling of [[high]] in commercial use, as in ''hi-fi'', from 1911.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) The Old English pronoun hi, “they; her”, is unrelated.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}