ofay

ofay
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 from a powerful enemy), with the sense transferred from the word of self-protection to the source of the threat. OED regards the main alternative theory, that it is pig Latin for foe, to be no more than an "implausible guess."

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • 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 — noun Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1925 usually disparaging a white person …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 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

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