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oy vey

interjection
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\ ˈȯi-ˈvā How to pronounce oy vey (audio) \
variants: or less commonly oy vay or oy veh

Definition of oy vey

—used to express dismay, frustration, or grief Mail! Oy veh, I get such mail. Such mail as I never dreamed of before the advent of the Internet.— Anne Bendheim

First Known Use of oy vey

1914, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for oy vey

borrowed from Yiddish, from oy, interjection expressing surprise or dismay + vey, interjection expressing distress or grief, going back to Middle High German wē, going back to Old High German wah, wē, going back to Germanic *wai (whence Old English wā) — more at woe entry 1

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Dictionary Entries Near oy vey

oystery

oy vey

oz

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Cite this Entry

“Oy vey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oy%20vey. Accessed 28 Jun. 2022.

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