How to Spell Affirmation
Jan 22nd, 2008 by Micah Tillman | 7 Comments |
(1) “Yeah” is the opposite of “nah,” and the two words rhyme. (Same vowel sound as in “zap” or “bad.”)
(2) “Yea” is the opposite of “nay,” and the two words rhyme. (Same vowel sound as in “ray” or “day.”)
(3) “Yay!” is the opposite of “Oh no!,” and the two do not rhyme at all. (The former’s vowel sound is the same as in “day,” while both the vowel sounds in the latter are the same as in “go” or “show.”)
You use the first pair in informal communication as replacements for “yes” and “no” respectively.
You use the second pair when voting as replacements for “yes” and “no” respectively.
The last pair are exclamations of exultation and dismay.
Too many people use “yea” when they mean “yeah.” Unless you’re in a board meeting, in government, or in the 1700’s, you don’t say “yea.” If you said, “yea,” people would hear “yay!” and wonder what you were so excited about.
Together, we can get this right.
Yea, I agree.
[...] How to Spell Affirmation (Same vowel sound as in “zap” or “bad.”) (2) “Yea” is the opposite of “nay,” and the two words rhyme. (Same vowel sound as in “ray” or “day.”) (3) “Yay!” is the opposite of “Oh no!,” and the two do not rhyme at all. … [...]
Thanks for point these spellings out. Maybe someday people will actually use a dictionary when they are in doubt.
Note: “yeah” and “nah” do not rhyme in my country.
Nor here in the Upper Midwest.
About my comment #3. It should read “pointing” not “point.” I’m embarrassed.
Down in the south we get confused because yeah, nay, and yea all have two or three syllables, depending on your region.