Transparencies never cease

Posted by Word Camel on January 20, 2003

In Reply to: Re: Yikes! posted by R. OEDipal Complex Berg on January 19, 2003

: : : I was interested to learn that "yikes" is actually a word. It is listed in the American Heritage Dictionary in any case. It says the origin is unknown, but I thought it would be worth posting to see if anyone else has any information about it, how old it is, etc.

: : : It's probably also one of those words that is always plural. I can't imagine there is such a thing as a "yike".

: Okay, okay, I take the hint.
: OED 1st ed. has no "yikes," pl. It has "yike," sing., "an imitation of the cry of the woodpecker."

Many thanks, oh infinitely patient one. Of course it sounds nothing like a woodpecker, but in Korea dogs quack so I guess anything is possible.

• And speaking of . . . R. Berg 01/20/03