Hi is one of those greetings that feels new to me, and which I usually avoid entirely in my historicals…though I’ve seen it in a few others. And so, I look it up.
It isn’t quite as new as I’d thought–as a greeting like it’s used today, hi is from 1862 (though let it be noted it’s American English from then, not British). The first recorded reference is from the speech of a Kansas Indian.
It traces its roots further back, though. As a shout to gain attention (so not just a substitute for hello or good day), it’s from the 15th century, as a variation of hey.
On another note, today is the last day to enter the giveaway on the Harvest House blog to win Circle of Spies! Hop over to read my guest post about the Culper Ring and enter to win! Click Here
Cylist photo credit: -Jeffrey- via photopin
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.