| 释义 |
ofay U.S. slang (chiefly used by Blacks).|ˈəʊfeɪ|
[Orig. unknown: the balance of probability is that it is a word of African origin (but the precise attribution in quot. 1932 lacks foundation). The suggestion that it is Pig Latin for foe seems no more than an implausible guess.]
In the use of American Blacks: an offensive term for ‘a white person’. Also attrib. or as adj. Cf. fay n.4
1925Inter-State Tattler 6 Mar. 8 We hear that ‘Booker Red’ has three ofays on his staff. 1926[see dicty a.]. 1927Amer. Mercury Dec. 392 Ugly people there are, certainly, but the percentage of beautiful folk is unquestionably larger than among the ofay brethren. 1932Africa V. 506 The last of the five words contributed indirectly by Ibibio to the English language is Offay... The root of the word appears to come from the Ibibio Afia, white or light-coloured. Hence in Harlem Offay means any light-coloured person and therefore a European. 1936Mencken Amer. Lang. (ed. 4) v. 214 The word ofay, which may have come from the French au fait (signifying mastery), is in general use in the Negro press of the United States to designate a white person. 1940New Republic 7 Oct. 472 When he goes downtown to this civil-service office, they take him for ofay... One of them young ofay chicks what clerk down there, she even tries to flirt with him. 1946Variety 23 Oct. 114 Boys start out with a Negro spiritual, with their inflection and harmony making it racially authentic, although they're ofay. 1952M. Steen Phoenix Rising iii. 70 ‘Dey run him out.’ ‘What for?’ Karl sounded bored. ‘Got after Harry's ofay chick—’ 1956B. Holiday Lady sings Blues (1973) v. 52 Most of the ofays, the white people, who came to Harlem those nights were looking for atmosphere. Ibid. ix. 89 ‘What will people think?’ is a big deal in ofay circles. 1968M. Richler Cocksure iv. 25 Was she amused by his dilemma? His ofay dilemma. 1971Black World Apr. 62, I was attendant in the ofay ladies lounge. 1971B. Malamud Tenants 48 Who are those cats, brothers or ofays? Ibid. 74 The black replies. ‘No ofay mother⁓fucker can put himself in my place.’ 1977Amer. Speech 1975 L. 89 That this word [sc. Yoruba ofe] could have been brought to the United States by slaves is altogether possible... Thus ofay may be taken as a word said for self-protection in times of threat, which was then transferred to the source of threat, and so came to mean ‘whiteman’. |