"aight"?

Jesse Sheidlower jester at PANIX.COM
Wed Apr 4 13:08:54 UTC 2012


I haven't worked on it that extensively yet, but I'm wondering if anyone
has looked into the (variously spelled) _aight_, used chiefly in
African-American English as an interjection or adjective expressing
assent, concession, approval, or as an interrogative to seek agreement,
etc.

We have evidence from 1993 for the adjective (in the form "I'm
ay-aight") and 1994 for the interjection.

Thanks.

Jesse Sheidlower
OED

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