"Oh fay" = "au fait" (1899)

[Douglas G. Wilson]

 From N'archive: here is "oh fay", presumably an alternate spelling of "au
fait" = "appropriate"/"in style", referring to attire:

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_Marion [OH] Daily Star_, 29 July 1899: p. 3, col. 4:

[Title: "New King of the Dudes"]

<<"Bathhouse John" Coughlin, alderman from de Foist woid of Chicago, ... is
going to Atlantic City to "paralyze the dudes" .... Friends of the
"Bathhouse" who have seen his new wardrobe say it is the hottest that ever
happened .... / [description of his green suit and fancy accessories] /
"Quit pumpin' hot air," replied the "Bathhouse." "I wouldn't wear 'em to a
primary, but they're 'oh fay' fer Atlantic City.">>

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I've found a couple of other instances of "au fait" spelled "oh fay" in the
late 19th century.

-- Doug Wilson