The term “They!” As an expression of surprise or silliness












3














So, I have been married 20 Years to a fine woman from the Ozarks of Missouri. Her family regularly used the term they to make an expression.



It might be used like this.



The neighbors nearly burned their house down trying to defrost their turkey.



They!



Or even
Storms are coming we make have to take shelter.



they!



I don’t know what to make of it, but I was watching a show about old times tonight and they used it.



Can anyone give me so etymology of this usage?



Solve a 20 year mystery for me, please.










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  • Not familiar at all. (Are you sure it's not a pronunciation of "Hey!"?)
    – Hot Licks
    1 hour ago












  • All I can think of is a 1954 science fiction movie called Them! about giant ants . . .
    – Jason Bassford
    1 hour ago
















3














So, I have been married 20 Years to a fine woman from the Ozarks of Missouri. Her family regularly used the term they to make an expression.



It might be used like this.



The neighbors nearly burned their house down trying to defrost their turkey.



They!



Or even
Storms are coming we make have to take shelter.



they!



I don’t know what to make of it, but I was watching a show about old times tonight and they used it.



Can anyone give me so etymology of this usage?



Solve a 20 year mystery for me, please.










share|improve this question







New contributor




Tim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.




















  • Not familiar at all. (Are you sure it's not a pronunciation of "Hey!"?)
    – Hot Licks
    1 hour ago












  • All I can think of is a 1954 science fiction movie called Them! about giant ants . . .
    – Jason Bassford
    1 hour ago














3












3








3







So, I have been married 20 Years to a fine woman from the Ozarks of Missouri. Her family regularly used the term they to make an expression.



It might be used like this.



The neighbors nearly burned their house down trying to defrost their turkey.



They!



Or even
Storms are coming we make have to take shelter.



they!



I don’t know what to make of it, but I was watching a show about old times tonight and they used it.



Can anyone give me so etymology of this usage?



Solve a 20 year mystery for me, please.










share|improve this question







New contributor




Tim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











So, I have been married 20 Years to a fine woman from the Ozarks of Missouri. Her family regularly used the term they to make an expression.



It might be used like this.



The neighbors nearly burned their house down trying to defrost their turkey.



They!



Or even
Storms are coming we make have to take shelter.



they!



I don’t know what to make of it, but I was watching a show about old times tonight and they used it.



Can anyone give me so etymology of this usage?



Solve a 20 year mystery for me, please.







they






share|improve this question







New contributor




Tim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question







New contributor




Tim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question






New contributor




Tim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 3 hours ago









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Tim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Tim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Tim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












  • Not familiar at all. (Are you sure it's not a pronunciation of "Hey!"?)
    – Hot Licks
    1 hour ago












  • All I can think of is a 1954 science fiction movie called Them! about giant ants . . .
    – Jason Bassford
    1 hour ago


















  • Not familiar at all. (Are you sure it's not a pronunciation of "Hey!"?)
    – Hot Licks
    1 hour ago












  • All I can think of is a 1954 science fiction movie called Them! about giant ants . . .
    – Jason Bassford
    1 hour ago
















Not familiar at all. (Are you sure it's not a pronunciation of "Hey!"?)
– Hot Licks
1 hour ago






Not familiar at all. (Are you sure it's not a pronunciation of "Hey!"?)
– Hot Licks
1 hour ago














All I can think of is a 1954 science fiction movie called Them! about giant ants . . .
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago




All I can think of is a 1954 science fiction movie called Them! about giant ants . . .
– Jason Bassford
1 hour ago















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