And speaking of . . .

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.

Somebody e-mailed me this marginally relevant joke: A dog goes to a Western Union office and says he wants to send a telegram. He dictates the telegram to the clerk. It goes "Woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof." The clerk tells him that because there's a flat rate for the first 10 words, he can add another "woof" at no charge. The dog says "But then it wouldn't make sense."