ofay

English

Etymology

Uncertain; perhaps from an African language. Pig Latin for foe is probably a folk etymology.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈəʊfeɪ/
• Homophones: au fait

  Rhymes: -əʊfeɪ

Noun

ofay (plural ofays)

1. (US, pejorative, slang) a white person.
   • 1997: Don DeLillo, Underworld:

     The rival, the foe, the ofay, veins stretched and bulged between white knuckles.

Adjective

ofay (comparative more ofay, superlative most ofay)

1. (US, pejorative, slang) white, white-skinned.
   • 1984. Anthony Burgess, Enderby's Dark Lady:

     ‘Baby,’ April Elgar said, ‘you may be an uptight ofay milk-toast limey bastard, but you ain’t no fag.’

   • 1959. Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun:

     Everything is strictly peachy keen, as the ofay kids say.