# I hate the word 'Matey' **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 1, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-word-matey/591091 "2011-08-01T20:15:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-word-matey/591091/1 "2011-08-01T20:15:54Z")
This word has cropped up over the last few years where I live, and it usually comes out of the mouths of people who I don’t like or who don’t like me, and is uttered in a slightly passive aggressive manner. Just thought I’d share that, anyone else noticed it? ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-word-matey/591091/2 "2011-08-01T20:17:02Z")
If I recall correctly, you’re in the UK? If so, then no, I haven’t heard that anywhere outside a pirate movie. ETA: Well, no, either way, I guess. Sorry. my brain is defective today. ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-word-matey/591091/3 "2011-08-01T20:18:40Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > If I recall correctly, you’re in the UK? If so, then no, I haven’t heard that anywhere outside a pirate movie. > > ETA: Well, no, either way, I guess. Sorry. my brain is defective today. Sorry yeah, this tends to be a localised UK phenomenon. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-word-matey/591091/4 "2011-08-01T20:20:13Z")
I hate it too. I’ve never heard it spoken, only ever written, but I cringe every time I read it. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-word-matey/591091/5 "2011-08-01T20:21:23Z")
It’s rare I would hear it, but I interpret it as similar to “amigo.” ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-word-matey/591091/6 "2011-08-01T20:51:51Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > It’s rare I would hear it, but I interpret it as similar to “amigo.” amigo is more kind to the ears though. ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-the-word-matey/591091/7 "2011-08-01T21:53:49Z")
Heard and used it since at least the late '80s. Well, I tend to say mateybollocks more than just matey. Think the earliest telly show I heard it used would be Bottom from the early to mid '90s. Sometimes as a simple “Okay, matey”, other times as something more convoluted like - and I quote - “Rightey dokey matey bloke flap old salty seadog amigo skip-jack jockstrap piano tuner, let’s see you balls this one up!”