Slovak Learning Community and Resources

Setting Sail: How “Ahoy” Found a Home in Slovak Vocabulary

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Ahoj, komunita! This greeting can be seen in forums and other parts of the OLS Slovak community. When you start learning Slovak, “Ahoj” is often the first word you are taught.

And then, there is “Ahoy!”—a word you might have seen associated with images of adventure on the high seas, echoing through the salty air as ships sail toward distant horizons. Yet, beyond its maritime associations, the history and journey of "Ahoy" reveal a tale of linguistic evolution and cultural adaptation. How maritime “Ahoy” developed into Slovak “Ahoj”? In this article, we'll embark on a voyage through time to explore the origins of “Ahoy” and its presence within the Slovak language.

The word “ahoy” has its roots in nautical terminology and is commonly associated with maritime communication. It has been used for a very long time as a greeting or a call to draw attention, particularly on ships or boats. “Ahoy” is an interjection, and thus its exact origin is difficult to track down. Most sources claim that it traces back to the Middle English word “hoy,” which referred to a small coastal vessel used for fishing or transportation, which probably comes from the Middle Dutch “hoey”. And as for the “a” in “ahoy”, this comes from another old interjection expressing exclamation.

During the 16th century, "hoy" was incorporated into nautical jargon, where it evolved into the greeting “ahoy” as a way for sailors to attract attention or signal to others aboard a ship or nearby vessels. Over time, "ahoy" became popularized in maritime communities. It was commonly used as a call from one ship to another, often accompanied by a shout or a wave, to initiate communication or exchange greetings. Interestingly, “Ahoy” almost became a universal telephone greeting. When Alexander Graham Bell invented the first practical telephone, he wanted “Ahoy” to become a standard greeting when answering a telephone. However, it was the suggestion of “Hello” by Thomas Edison that ultimately prevailed for this purpose.

But how did “Ahoy” transform from the greeting of sailors and seafarers to basic Slovak informal greeting? That is difficult to say. What we know is that “Ahoj” started to spread as a greeting in the 1920s, shortly after the birth of Czechoslovakia (1918). It was thanks to young people interested in outdoor activities such as paddling sports, hiking and camping. 

According to linguists, it is believed that the scouts played a significant role in spreading the popularity of this greeting during the 1930s. The popularity of the greeting soon began to be reflected in the media as well, when in 1933, the magazine “Ahoj na neděli” ("Ahoj for Sunday") began to be published. From the 1960s onwards, the usage of the greeting "Ahoj" started to decline as it was gradually replaced by the greeting “Čau,” derived from the Italian word “Ciao.” This shift was influenced by Italian films that were allowed into Czechoslovak cinemas at the time.

Today, “Ahoj” is an informal greeting used both when meeting and parting. It can be used in everyday conversation among friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances. Its form is the same both in Slovak and Czech language. When addressing more people, the plural form “Ahojte” should be used.

To explore other greetings used in Slovak language, click here. And why not introduce yourself to the community using this greeting? With our simple pattern, everyone can do it. You can try out for yourself in this forum.

Ahojte!