# The use of the word "vay-cay" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 24, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207 "2011-07-24T20:52:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Finally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/67e7ee/32.png) [@Finally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finally)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/61 "2011-07-25T21:20:04Z")
Hearing adults say, “I have to go potty”. Potty should not be used by anyone over the age of 4, as far as I’m concerned. Am I the only one? ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/62 "2011-07-25T21:22:47Z")
> [@rogerbox](#): > > I find “-ie” to make a word colloquial to sound awful to my ears. Don’t be such a wet blankie. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/63 "2011-07-25T22:54:00Z")
> [@Sierra\_Indigo](#): > > It’s not in common usage at all, it may very rarely be used by older people but most people over here just say holidays, “going away”, leave or vacation. In four different states, I’ve heard it used in approximately once or twice in 20 or so years, and when I did hear it spoken last it was an old English expat who used it. That’s interesting. It just goes to show how varied usages can be across the country. I disagree that ‘hols’ is used only by older people. After I got back from leave last week a colleague (a woman in her mid-20s) asked me how my recent hols had been. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/64 "2011-07-26T01:43:57Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > Maybe I’m old, but I think I’ve heard “hols” in Australia. But, if not “hols”, what? Aussie here - School hols, Christmas hols, what are you doing during the hols - I have heard em all. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/65 "2011-07-26T01:48:33Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Do actual grown adults in the UK **really** say “Prezzies” and “Crimbo” for presents and Christmas? Because every time the actors on _The Vicar of Dibley_ and _Ideal_ do, I want to beat them to death. In Australia we have pressies - and even adults use the term. Crimbo I think is a Vicar of Dimblyism ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/66 "2011-07-26T01:59:26Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Now \*that \*just sounds like a Japanese-style shortening of a phrase. I will therefore begin using “owopo” frequently. When it catches on, you can tell everyone you were there at start of a meme. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/67 "2011-07-26T03:09:02Z")
Four pages and no mention of brecky (breakfast)? ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/68 "2011-07-26T03:26:32Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > Four pages and no mention of brecky (breakfast)? Another good reason to beat someone to death. ---
**Author:** ![loshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@loshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loshan)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/69 "2011-07-26T03:54:30Z")
I have a 50 yo vegetarian friend who insists on saying “veg-a-bulls” in a baby talk tone of voice everytime she says it. I want to punch her in the face. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/70 "2011-07-26T09:02:56Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Hate “vay-cay.” Hate “va-jay” or “va-jay-jay” too. I love va-jay-jay. Don’t be a hater. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/71 "2011-07-26T10:24:41Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > And a “partner” is someone you’re in business with, not someone you’re living with. Well, you might go home together, but that’s not the important part. Out of interest, what am I supposed to call the man I’m having 2 children with, whom I own a house with, and plan to be with until I die? I’d rather not use boyfriend, since we’re both over the age of 12. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/72 "2011-07-26T10:52:07Z")
> [@madrabbitwoman](#): > > In Australia we have pressies - and even adults use the term. Crimbo I think is a Vicar of Dimblyism It is reasonably common in the UK. Heard it many a time there. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/73 "2011-07-26T12:27:12Z")
Nitpick: you _watched_ The Vicar of Dibley, you didn’t just hear it. It’s not an old timey radio show, after all. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/74 "2011-07-26T13:35:59Z")
My mother-in-law asks if we’re dressing up or if we’re going to go “cas.” I pretend I don’t undertand what she’s talking about and make her say “casual” before I’ll answer her. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/75 "2011-07-26T14:44:48Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > Nitpick: you _watched_ The Vicar of Dibley, you didn’t just hear it. It’s not an old timey radio show, after all. No one said they “heard” it on The Vicar of Dibley. And so what if they did? We don’t watch with our ears, we watch with our eyes, and hear the soundtrack with our ears. ---
**Author:** ![Lare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/76 "2011-07-26T14:46:29Z")
> [@Girl\_From\_Mars](#): > > Out of interest, what am I supposed to call the man I’m having 2 children with, whom I own a house with, and plan to be with until I die? I’d rather not use boyfriend, since we’re both over the age of 12. Please, whatever you choose, don’t let it be “baby-daddy.” ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/77 "2011-07-26T14:54:16Z")
> [@Girl\_From\_Mars](#): > > Out of interest, what am I supposed to call the man I’m having 2 children with, whom I own a house with, and plan to be with until I die? I’d rather not use boyfriend, since we’re both over the age of 12. Since “boyfriend” is pretty much unambiguous in this context, I don’t see why not. These days, adults are far more common to have relationships appropriately described as boyfriends and girlfriends than any 12-year-old is. So far as I am concerned, you might as well call him your “husband” anyway, because he seems to be in all but one respect. Your actual legal status isn’t really of interest to me. Other than that, there seems to be a myriad of options --“my man,” “my baby daddy,” “my paramour,” “the father of my born-out-of-wedlock children,” “my housemate,” “my lover,” “my dude,” “my guy,” “my beau,” whatever. I think there are entire websites addressing the question. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/78 "2011-07-26T14:56:48Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > Four pages and no mention of brecky (breakfast)? I go with “brekkis” my own self. > [@loshan](#): > > I have a 50 yo vegetarian friend who insists on saying “veg-a-bulls” in a baby talk tone of voice everytime she says it. Veggables is tolerable. Baby talk voice is worthy of death. > [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > Nitpick: you _watched_ The Vicar of Dibley, you didn’t just hear it. Like **elfkin477** , I have no clue to whom you’re addressing this. \*\*amanset \*\*was clearly saying that they heard the word many times in the UK, which you may be interested to learn is a group of countries, not a television show. I can only assume that you thought that \*\*amanset \*\*was saying the show, not the word, was common in the UK? ---
**Author:** ![Claire\_Beauchamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ec9cab/32.png) [@Claire\_Beauchamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claire_Beauchamp)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/79 "2011-07-26T15:46:23Z")
> [@Girl\_From\_Mars](#): > > Out of interest, what am I supposed to call the man I’m having 2 children with, whom I own a house with, and plan to be with until I die? I’d rather not use boyfriend, since we’re both over the age of 12. Why, POSSLQ, of course: > **[POSSLQ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/POSSLQ)** > > POSSLQ (/ˌpɒsəlˈkjuː/ POSS-əl-KEW, plural POSSLQs) is an abbreviation (or acronym) for "person of opposite sex sharing living quarters", a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households.\[citation needed\] > After the 1980 Census, the term gained currency in the wider culture for a time. > After demographers observed the increasing frequency of cohabitation over the 1980s, the Censu... ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207/80 "2011-07-26T15:59:45Z")
Hiddy for hideous annoys me just as much. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-the-word-vay-cay/590207.md?page=5)