Ahoy

Ahoy is an exclamation historically used at sea to hail a vessel, attract attention, or announce the speaker's presence. In nautical practice it functions as a general greeting or signal, and it remains common in maritime contexts, as well as in nautical fiction and other seafaring media.

Etymology and origins: The precise origin is uncertain. It is commonly linked to Dutch hoi or other Germanic shipboard greetings, and English-language usage is attested from the 18th century onward. The expression likely arose as a practical call across the water to identify or contact another boat or person.

Usage and variants: Ahoy may be used alone or with there (ahoy there) and can serve as a demand for attention, a friendly greeting, or a way to identify oneself to a passing vessel. In everyday speech outside the sea it is largely archaic or humorous, but it remains prevalent in literature, film, and video games to evoke nautical flavor. In German, a variant spelling Ahoi is common and used similarly.

Historical note: In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell reportedly proposed using "ahoy-hoy" as the telephone greeting, but "hello" became standard.