Another kind of buddy: ''guy''

[Jonathan Lighter]

Dunno about current details, but it used to be a fairly widespread working-class vocative, just like "buddy." Still sounds fine to me, though I don't think I've ever said it. HDAS has a 1935 ex. buried in its cite paragraph.

  Earlier still:

  1915 William Herschell _Songs of the Streets and Byways_ [Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill] 71: De next ball up wuz in de groove! Say, guy, I hit it square!

  1922 Eugene O'Neill _The Hairy Ape_  [N.Y.: Boni & Liveright] 62: Say, guy! Who are you?

  1930 E. H. Lavine _Third Degree_ [N.Y.: Vanguard Press] 112: Listen, guy, dem's beauty marks. Dese in de front, I got falling on a soft rubber sponge.

  My neighbor in grad school (1974) frequently used to greet his friends with, "Hi, guy!"  He was from Oshkosh.

  JL




RonButters at AOL.COM wrote:
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In a message dated 6/15/07 12:13:32 AM, jharbeck at SYMPATICO.CA writes:


> I'm more used to "dude" in that position. I think it varies by region
> but also by social set.
>
> James Harbeck.
>

As I said earlier, it is a gay thing 4 sure -- don't think it varies
regionally with gay guys


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