Eh is the correct spelling . Say aye if you agree!
Confusion between these words can be shown by the fact that OED notes, first under "ay, aye, adv." that aye is recorded as a variant spelling of AY adv. ever; and second under "aye, ay, int., (adv.)," that "ay is recorded as variant of AYE, yes".)
Aye simply means yes, so it can be used anywhere an affirmative reaction is due.
Aye and variants
Using aye to mean yes is archaic, having disappeared from most of the English-speaking world, but is notably still used by people from Scotland, Ulster, and the north of England.
Soon after Shakespeare's lifetime, the older form passed away! The same is true of “art,” meaning “are.” So a sentence beginning “thou art” simply means “You are.” “Aye” simply means “yes”. So, “Ay, My Lady” simply means “Yes, My Lady.”
It is much used in Scotland, the north and Midlands of England, Northern Ireland, North Wales, as well as in New Zealand (where it may follow rather than precede a statement).
' General impressions suggest that 'aye' means 'yes' in Scotland, a chunk of Northern England, and presumably Northern Ireland. But beyond that, the picture of where the word is spoken, and even where it was spoken in the past, gets fuzzy. Aye (usually spelled 'ay') was clearly Shakespeare's preferred affirmative.
Aye might have originated from the old Latin verb “aio”, which means “I say yes”. From the old British Navy (and UK House of Commons), Aye Aye literally meant Yes Yes. Another variation is to replace the first Aye with “I”, meaning “I say yes”.
“Aye” is an affirmative response that could be used as an exclamation, a noun, or an adverb. If used as an exclamation, "aye" has the same meaning as “yes,” which expresses assent to something.
“Aye” appears suddenly about 1575 and is “exceedingly common” around 1600; it is initially written I and its origin, like yes, is uncertain. Ay is also found in Old Frisian, as well as Sater Frisian today (öäi, a'äi etc.).
exclamation. exclamation. /aɪ/ (old use or ) 1(dialect) yes “Did you see what happened?” “Oh aye, I was there.”
synonyms for aye
On this page you'll find 15 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to aye, such as: affirmative, always, continually, okay, and vote.
Aye is not a slang word, aye simply means yes. It can be used anywhere and an affirmative reaction is due.
Ahoy – A pirate greeting or a way to get someone's attention, similar to “Hello” or “hey!”. Arrr, Arrgh, Yarr, Gar – Pirates slang used to emphasize a point. Avast – Pirate speak for pay attention. Aye aye – Confirmation that an order is understood.
We also commonly say aye instead of yes, wee instead of small, ken instead of know and uch instead of oh. Aye, it's getting a wee bit harder noo. Then you've got words like caiket and mocket, both meaning dirty, and hacket, meaning ugly.
“Ay-ay-ay” is an exclamation which entered American pop culture from Mexican Spanish in various ways. In informal conversation, the phrase means literally “oh, oh, oh” and conveys a sense of dismay.
Ay. "Ay" - also spelt "eh" - is a particle that Kiwis love to tack on to the end of a sentence. It can mean anything from "could you repeat that?", to "what do you think?". It's most often used in the same way you would say "right" or "you know".
Scots are known for pronouncing traditional words in unpredictable ways. Listen out for “yes” pronounced as “aye”, “dae” as “do” and “dinnae” as “don't“. It's probably worth having a look through a guide to Scottish slang before your trip.
“Aye” is a fairly commonly used slang term for yes throughout parts of Britain and Ireland. You're likely to hear it in the north of England, throughout Scotland, and in Ireland particularly in the north. This is snappy and effective, so it is quite unsurprising they have had no need for more slang terms than this!
Aye. Meaning: (Interjection) Primarily present in the Scottish or Northern English dialect, this term is used in the Uk as a substitute for “yes.” Example: Aye!
Yes Scotland was the organisation representing the parties, organisations, and individuals campaigning for a Yes vote in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. It was launched on 25 May 2012 and dissolved in late 2014 after Scotland voted against independence.
Out in the Marine Corps (and its sister service, the Navy) , the distinction is simple: “Yes, sir” is a response to a Yes/No question, whereas “Aye aye, sir” is a response to an order and means “I understand and will comply.”