yay1
[yey]
- (an exclamation used to express joy, excitement, etc.)
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Origin of yay1
First recorded in 1960–65; perhaps alteration of yeah
yay2
or yea
[yey]
- to the extent, amount, etc., indicated: The doll is about yay high.
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Origin of yay2
probably < yea1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for yay
Contemporary Examples
Yay Haley for quick thinking and Bronagh for quick status updating!
But for The Hangover Part III, basically Todd just emailed me and said I was in it, and I was like, “Yay!”
If we did this, the policy costs for likely criminals would go up--yay!
Historical Examples
He did so, and when he reached the bottom he found the yay there awaiting him.
The Mountain Chant, A Navajo CeremonyWashington Matthews
At this moment a shout was heard from the alley, "Yay, Penrod!"
Ickle bother can't say nuffin, without me to sow him the yay of it.
The Maid of SkerRichard Doddridge Blackmore
Today Yay Nuni was granted an allowance of 15 laks from Parsarr,2668 made to put on a dress of honour, and given his leave.
The Bbur-nma in EnglishBabur, Emperor of Hindustan
"Yay," sed the Shaker, and he led the way into the house, another Shaker bein sent to put my hosses and waggin under kiver.
The Complete Works of Artemus WardCharles Farrar Browne (AKA Artemus Ward)
yay
- informal an exclamation indicating approval, congratulation, or triumph
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Word Origin
C20: perhaps from yeah
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for yay
"this," as in yay big "this big," 1950s, perhaps from yea "yes" in its sense of "even, truly, verily." "a sort of demonstrative adverb used with adjectives of size, height, extent, etc., and often accompanied by a hand gesture indicating size" [DAS].
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper