yep English · revision 5540

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1889}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /jep/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is an alteration of [[yes]] or [[yeah]], made for emphasis,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) perhaps influenced by [[nope]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) or formed in the same way, by closing the lips sharply.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Yes, in American English: 1889 in Etymonline, 1891 in the OED and MWU,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) and 1897 in Barnhart, in Kipling's Captains Courageous.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The OED described it as a dialectal or vulgar pronunciation of yes, especially in the United States.^(OED 1989) The variants yip and yup are also recorded.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1889 – yes (US).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1897 – in Kipling.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # ''(informal)'' [[Yes]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[yes]]

+ * [[yeah]]

+ * [[nope]]

+ * [[yup]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A different yep, from the late 17th century, is a call to urge on a horse,^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) and in Lancashire and Lincolnshire dialect it was also a cry used in driving sheep.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}