What ho!

Posted by Henry June 30, 2004In reply to What ho! posted by Henry on June 30, 2004

Hello!

This phrase appears in PG Wodehous's My Man Jeeves,
when someone appears at the door.
What does it mean?
What is the origin?

Thank you
Judy
(Israel)

What ho! was an informal greeting commonly used by Bertie Wooster, equivalent to Hi there!
Without is the opposite of within. Without there means outside the door.

Ho\, Hoa \Hoa\ Halloo! attend! -- a call to excite attention or to give notice of approach. "What noise there, ho?"--Shak. "Ho! who's within?"--Shak.

Replies

Thank you Henry. Here is another: "licked to a splinter" Judy 01/July/04
- Thank you Henry. Here is another: Henry 02/July/04
  - Splinter group Henry 03/July/04
    - Splinter group Thank you again' Henry. 03/July/04