Eh (pronounced /'eɪ/) is a spoken interjection in English, Italian and Spanish meaning "Huh?", "What?", "Hey", or "Repeat that, please". It is also commonly used as a method for inciting an answer, as in "those trees are red, eh?" Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wiktionary (a portmanteau of wiki and dictionary) is a multilingual, Web-based project to create a free content dictionary, available in over 150 languages. ... An interjection is a part of speech that usually has no grammatical connection to the rest of the sentence and simply expresses emotion on the part of the speaker, although most interjections have clear definitions. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

It is an invariant question tag, unlike the "is it?" and "have you?" tags that have, with the insertion of not, different construction in positive and negative questions. A question may be either a linguistic expression used to make a request for information, or else the request itself made by such an expression. ...

There is some question as to the origin of the term, a popular theory is that the "eh" sound is similar to the "ey" sound that a native French speaker will stereotypically say when pronouncing the word "Hey". Dropped H's are also common to many British dialects.

In addition, "eh" can also be used as an exclamation: "He's all right, eh!" This has its origins in Scotland, where it can still be heard. This article is about the country. ...

It can also mean "I don't care" or "whatever", when pronounced as it is spelled (not like "ey", but an unstressed "eh").

Unique to Dundee, Scotland (dundonian) "eh" can be substituted for "I", "eye" and "yes"

Use in different countries

United Kingdom

The usage of the word is widespread throughout much of the UK. It is commonly used in comics

Canada

The only usage of eh? that is exclusive to Canada, according to the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, is for "ascertaining the comprehension, continued interest, agreement, etc., of the person or persons addressed" as in, "It's four kilometres away, eh, so I have to go by bike." Similarly, "It's nine-o'clock, eh?" means "You do know that it's nine o'clock? You are aware that it's nine-o'clock?". This phrase can also be taken as a direction question, such as "It's nine-o'clock, right?" The Canadian Oxford Dictionary, published by the Oxford University Press Canada, was first released in 1998 and quickly became the standard dictionary reference for Canadian English. ...

In that case, eh? is used to confirm the attention of the listener and to invite a supportive noise such as "Mm" or "Oh" or "Okay". It essentially is an interjection meaning, "I'm checking to see you're listening so I can continue."

"Eh" can also be added to the end of a declarative sentence to turn it into a question. For example: "The weather is nice." becomes "The weather is nice, eh?" This same phrase could also be taken as "The weather is nice, don't you agree?".

Depending on the speaker's tone or the dialectal standard, eh can also be perceived as rude or impolite, as "Repeat that!", and not a request.

Further examples of Canadian usage include: "I know, eh?" (Agreement), "Yeah, eh?" (Agreement; tone of voice changes meaning slightly). "I know. Eh!" (Pause between 'know' and 'eh' and emphasise 'eh'. This is an excited agreement.) Although technically questions, these are also said as statements.

The usage of "eh" in Canada is often mocked in the United States, where some view its use as a stereotypical Canadianism. Many Canadians dispute its use (for example, singer Don Freed in his song "Saskatchewan" declares "What is this 'Eh?' nonsense? I wouldn't speak like that if I were paid to."). There are many merchandise items on the market today that use this phrase, such as t-shirts and coffee mugs. Don Freed (born 1949, New Westminster, British Columbia, but raised in Saskatoon), is a Canadian singer and songwriter best known for his works about life on the Western Canadian prairies and the province of Saskatchewan in particular. ... Motto: Multis E Gentibus Vires (Latin: The Strength of Many Peoples) Capital Regina Largest city Saskatoon Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor Gordon Barnhart - Premier Lorne Calvert (NDP) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 14 - Senate seats 6 Confederation September 1, 1905 (Split from NWT) (9th (province)) Area  Ranked...

It is often joked about by Canadians as well, and is sometimes even a part of the national identity^[1]. For example, a Canadian national team is sometimes referred to as the "Eh? team." Likewise, at one of their concerts, a member of the Canadian Brass, referring to their arrangement of the jazz standard, "Take the A Train," said that they'd considered calling it "Take the train, eh?" The A-Team (1983 - 1987) was a television show about a group of fictional ex-US Army commandos on the run from the military. ... Canadian Brass is a brass quintet founded by Chuck Daellenbach, Stuart Laughton, and Gene Watts in 1970. ... In music, an arrangement refers either to a rewriting of a piece of existing music with additional new material or to a fleshing-out of a compositional sketch, such as a lead sheet. ... Jazz standard refers to a tune that is widely known, performed, and recorded among jazz musicians. ... Take the A Train is a jazz standard by Billy Strayhorn, referring to the subway service that runs through New York City, going at that time from eastern Brooklyn up into Harlem and northern Manhattan, using the express tracks in Manhattan. ...

The 2004 edition of the Canadian Oxford Dictionary states that "eh" is used most frequently by residents of Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick, somewhat less frequently in Quebec, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and the three territories, and rarely if ever in Nova Scotia, Alberta and Newfoundland. This may reflect cultural differences among the provinces, perhaps including the physical distance between various areas of Canada and major American population centres.

See also: Canadian English and Bob & Doug McKenzie

"Ay!"-The Fonz speaking with an American variation of the word "eh'"

Canadian English (CaE) is a variety of English used in Canada. ... Great White North album cover Bob & Doug McKenzie were a pair of fictional Canadian brothers who hosted The Great White North, a sketch which was introduced on Second City Television for the shows third season when it moved to the CBC in 1980. ... idol This is a copyrighted promotional photo with a known source. ... idol This is a copyrighted promotional photo with a known source. ... Whos cool, and has two thumbs? This guy! -Fonzie Arthur The Fonz Fonzarelli was a character in the American sitcom Happy Days (1974-1984) played by Henry Winkler. ...

Australia, New Zealand, and the United States

"Eh?" used to solicit agreement or confirmation is also heard regularly amongst speakers in Australia (where it is sometimes spelled "ay" on the assumption that "eh" would rhyme with "heh" or "meh"). The usage in New Zealand is similar, and is more common in the North Island. It is also heard in the United States, especially Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the midwest, Oklahoma and the New England region. In New England and Oklahoma it is also used as a general exclamation as in Scotland. Since usage of the word "eh" is not common in the United States as it is in Canada, it is often used by Americans to parody Canadian English. Capital Saint Paul Largest city Minneapolis Area  Ranked 12th  - Total 87,014 sq mi (225,365 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 400 miles (645 km)  - % water 8. ... Official language(s) None Capital Madison Largest city Milwaukee Area  Ranked 23rd  - Total 65,498 sq mi (169,790 km²)  - Width 260 miles (420 km)  - Length 310 miles (500 km)  - % water 17  - Latitude 42° 30′ N to 47° 05′ N  - Longitude 86° 46′ W to 92° 53′ W Population  Ranked... The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the northern of the two major land masses that comprise the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Official language(s) None Capital Oklahoma City Largest city Oklahoma City Largest metro area Oklahoma City metro area Area  Ranked 20th  - Total 69,898 sq mi (181,196 km²)  - Width 230 miles (370 km)  - Length 298 miles (480 km)  - % water 1. ... This article is about the region in the United States of America. ... This article is about the region in the United States of America. ... Official language(s) None Capital Oklahoma City Largest city Oklahoma City Largest metro area Oklahoma City metro area Area  Ranked 20th  - Total 69,898 sq mi (181,196 km²)  - Width 230 miles (370 km)  - Length 298 miles (480 km)  - % water 1. ... In contemporary usage, a parody (or lampoon) is a work that imitates another work in order to ridicule, ironically comment on, or poke some affectionate fun at the work itself, the subject of the work, the author or fictional voice of the parody, or another subject. ... Canadian English (CaE) is a variety of English used in Canada. ...

South Africa

The equivalent in South African English is "hey", of Dutch origin. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Lebanon, Syria

Eh is also used in Lebanon and Syria with the meaning of "Yes" to agree about something

Egypt

Eh is also used in Egyptian arabic "ايه؟" as "What? say it again". It could also mean "What's wrong?" either in a concerned manner or a more aggressive one, depending on the tone used to pose the question. “Arabic” redirects here. ...

Similar terms in other languages

Japanese "Hee?" is a common exclamation in Japanese and is used to express surprise. It is also used when the listener did not fully understand or hear what the speaker said. It can be lengthened to show greater surprise (e.g. Heeeeee?!). "nee/ne?/naa" are extremely similar to the Canadian "eh," being statement ending particles which solicit or assume agreement, confirmation, or comprehension on the part of the listener.

In Mandarin Chinese, eh (誒 in pinyin: ê4) is a relatively infrequently used exclamation expressing disappointment or affirmation. This article is on all of the Northern Chinese dialects. ... Pinyin, more formally called Hanyu Pinyin (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ), is the most common variant of Standard Mandarin romanization system in use. ...

Eh is also used in Italian spoken language to express surprise or misunderstanding, but also as a general word for turning an affirmation into a question. In southern Italy, éh is used to reconfirm a statement after someone else denies it, like 'Yes you do' or 'Yes it is' Italian ( , or lingua italiana) is a Romance language spoken by about 63 million people,[2] primarily in Italy. ...

"Hein" is used in French in much the same way as in English.

Hain is used in Mauritian Creole and it can express a variety of ideas but it is generally used in context of a conversation and is generally interpreted very quickly. Mauritian Creole is a creole language or dialect from Mauritius. ...

References

1. ^ Will Ferguson & Ian Ferguson, How to be a Canadian (Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre) 65-68