What is a bey in slang?

From Turkish bey (“gentleman, chief”), from Ottoman Turkish بك‎ (beğ, bey), from Old Turkic 𐰋𐰏‎ (b²g /bég/, “chief, titled man”).

bey (plural beys)

From Turkish bey, from Ottoman Turkish بك‎ (bey).

bey m (plural beys)

bey

Unadapted borrowing from Turkish bey, from Ottoman Turkish بك‎ (bey).

bey m (invariable)

bey

From Turkish bey.

bey m (plural beyes)

bey

From Ottoman Turkish بك‎ (beg), from Old Anatolian Turkish بك‎ (beg, “ruler”). Akin to Old Turkic 𐰋𐰏‎ (beg, “chief, titled man”), Old Uyghur [script needed] (beg, “lord, chief”), Karakhanid باكْ‎ (bēg, “chief, a woman's husband”).

There are different theories about the further etymology of the word.

Unrelated to Turkish bay (“gentleman”).

bey (definite accusative beyi, plural beyler)

bey

'Bey' is also used colloquially in Urdu-speaking parts of India, and its usage is similar to "chap" or "man". When used aggressively, it is an offensive term.

Bey (Ottoman Turkish: بك, romanized: beğ, Turkish: bey, Azerbaijani: bəy, Turkmen: beg, Uzbek: бек, Kazakh: би/бек, Kyrgyz: бий/бек, Tatar: бәк, romanized: bäk, Shor: пий/пек, Albanian: beu/bej, Serbo-Croatian: beg, Persian: بیگ, romanized: beyg/beig, Tajik: бек, Arabic: بك, romanized: bēk) is a Turkic title for a chieftain, and an honorific, traditionally applied to people with special lineages to the leaders or rulers of variously sized areas in the numerous Turkic kingdoms, emirates, sultanates and empires in Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East, such as the Ottomans, Timurids or the various khanates and emirates in Central Asia and the Eurasian Steppe. The feminine equivalent title was begum. The regions or provinces where "beys" ruled or which they administered were called beylik, roughly meaning "governorate" and/or "region" (the equivalent of county in other parts of Europe). However the exact scope of power handed to the beks (alternative spelling to beys) varied with each country, thus there was no clear-cut system, rigidly applied to all countries defining all the possible power and prestige that came along with the title.

Today, the word is still used formally as a social title for men, similar to the way the titles "sir" and "mister" are used in the English language. Additionally, it is widely used in the naming customs of Central Asia, namely in countries such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Notably, the ethnic designation of Uzbeks comes from the name of Öz Beg Khan of the Golden Horde, being an example of the usage of this word in personal names and even names of whole ethnic groups. The general rule is that the honorific is used with first names and not with surnames or last names.

The word entered English from Turkish bey,[2] itself derived from Old Turkic beg,[3] which – in the form bäg – has been mentioned as early as in the Orkhon inscriptions (8th century AD) and is usually translated as "tribal leader".[4][5] The actual origin of the word is still disputed, though it is mostly agreed that it was a loan-word,[4] in Old Turkic.[6] This Turkic word is usually considered a borrowing from an Iranian language.[7][5] However, German Turkologist Gerhard Doerfer assessed the derivation from Iranian as superficially attractive but quite uncertain,[5] and pointed out the possibility that the word may be genuinely Turkic.[4] Two principal etymologies have been proposed by scholars:

What is certain is that the word has no connections to Turkish berk, "strong" (Mongolian berke), or Turkish bögü, "shaman" (Mong. böge).[4]

The first three rulers of the Ottoman realm were titled Bey. The chief sovereign of the Ottoman Empire came to be called sultan starting in 1383 when Murad I was granted this title by the shadow caliph in Cairo.[citation needed]

The Ottoman state had started out as one of a dozen Turkish Ghazi Beyliks, roughly comparable to western European duchies, into which Anatolia (i.e., Asian Turkey, or Asia Minor) had been divided after the break-up of the Seljuk Sultanate of Ikonion (Konya) and the military demise of the Byzantine Empire. Its capital was Bursa. By 1336, it had annexed the Beylik of Karasy, its western neighbour on the coast of the Sea of Marmara, and it began to expand quite rapidly thereafter.[citation needed]

As the Ottoman realm grew from a Beylik into an imperial sultanate, the title "Bey" came to be applied to subordinate military and administrative officers, such as a district administrator and lower-level minor military governors. The latter were usually titled Sanjak Bey (after the term "Sanjak", denoting a military horsetail banner). Beys were lower in rank than pashas and provincial governors (wālis, usually holding the title of pasha), who governed most of the Ottoman vilayets (provinces), but higher than effendis.[citation needed]

Eventually, the chiefs of the former Ottoman capitals Bursa and Edirne (formerly the Byzantine Adrianople in Thrace) both were designated "Bey".[citation needed]

Over time, the title became somewhat devalued, as Bey was used as a courtesy title for a pasha's son. It also came to be attached to officers and dignitaries below those entitled to be pashas, notably the following military officer ranks (still lower ranks were styled efendi):

Oddly, the compound Beyefendi was part of the title of the husband (full style Damad-i-Shahyari (given name) Beyefendi) and sons (full style Sultanzade (given name) Beyefendi) of an Imperial Princess, and their sons in turn were entitled to the courtesy title Beyzade, "Son of a Bey". For the grandsons of an imperial princess, the official style was simply Bey after the name.

By the late 19th century, "Bey" had been reduced in the Ottoman Empire to an honorary title. While in Qazaq and other Central Asian Turkic languages, бай [bɑj] remains a rather honorific title, in modern Turkish, and in Azerbaijan, the word "bey" (or "bay") simply means "mister" (compare Effendi) or "sir" and is used in the meaning of "chieftain" only in historical context. Bay is also used in Turkish in combined form for certain military ranks, e.g. albay, meaning colonel, from alay "regiment" and -bay, and yarbay, meaning lieutenant colonel, from yardim "assistance" and -bay (thus an "assistant albay").[citation needed]

Lucy Mary Jane Garnett wrote in the 1904 work Turkish Life in Town and Country that "distinguished persons and their sons" as well as "high government officials" could become bey, which was one of two "merely conventional designations as indefinite as our "Esquire" has come to be.[in the United Kingdom]".[11]

The Republican Turkish authorities abolished the title circa the 1930s.[12]

As with most Turkish titles, it follows the name rather than precedes it, e.g. "Ahmet Bey" for "Mr. Ahmet". When one speaks of Mr. Ahmet, the title has to be written with a capital (Ahmet Bey), but when one addresses him directly it is simply written without capital (Ahmet bey). Bey may combine with efendi to give a common form of address, to which the possessive suffix -(i)m is usually added: beyefendim, efendim.[citation needed]

Beyefendi has its feminine counterpart: hanımefendi [haˈnɯmefendi], used alone, to address a woman without her first name. And with the first name: Ayşe Hanım or Ayşe hanım, for example, according to the rule given above about the use of the capital letter.

The title bey (Arabic: بيه Egyptian Arabic pronunciation: [beː]) was also called beyk or bek (بيك) – from Turkish beyg (بيـگ) – in North Africa, including Egypt.[13][14][15] A bey could maintain a similar office within Arab states that broke away from the High Porte, such as Egypt and Sudan under the Muhammad Ali Dynasty, where it was a rank below pasha (maintained in two rank classes after 1922), and a title of courtesy for a pasha's son.

Even much earlier, the virtual sovereign's title in Barbaresque North African 'regency' states was "Bey" (compare Dey). Notably in Tunis,[16] the Husainid Dynasty used a whole series of title and styles including Bey:

Bey was also the title that was awarded by the Sultan of Turkey in the twilight of the Ottoman Empire to Oloye Mohammed Shitta, an African merchant prince of the Yoruba people who served as a ranking leader of the Muslim community in the kingdom of Lagos. Subsequently, he and his children became known in Nigeria by the double-barrelled surname Shitta-Bey, a tradition which has survived to the present day through their lineal descendants.

In the Ottoman period, the lords of the semi-autonomous Mani Peninsula used the title of beis (μπέης); for example, Petros Mavromichalis was known as Petrobey.

Other Beys saw their own Beylik promoted to statehood, e.g.:

Bey or a variation has also been used as an aristocratic title in various Turkic states, such as Bäk in the Tatar Khanate of Kazan, in charge of a Beylik called Bäklek. The Uzbek Khanate of Khiva, Emirate of Bukhara and The Khanate of Kokand used the "beks" as local administrations of "bekliks" or provinces. The Balkar princes in the North Caucasus highlands were known as taubiy (taubey), meaning the "mountainous chief".

Sometimes a Bey was a territorial vassal within a khanate, as in each of the three zuzes under the Khan of the Kazakhs.

The variation Beg, Baig or Bai, is still used as a family name or a part of a name in South and Central Asia as well as the Balkans. In Slavic-influenced names, it can be seen in conjunction with the Slavic -ov/-ović/ev suffixes meaning "son of", such as in Bakir and Alija Izetbegović, Abai Kunanbaev.

The title is also used as an honorific by members of the Moorish Science Temple of America and the Moorish Orthodox Church.

'Bey' is also used colloquially in Urdu-speaking parts of India, and its usage is similar to "chap" or "man". When used aggressively, it is an offensive term.

So if you're looking to learn a few colloquialisms, are planning a trip to Plymouth (Plymuff) or are left scratching your head when someone says they shop at Kwarp, look no further.

We present to you, the Janner Dictionary.

Of course, if we've forgotten any, add your suggestions in the comment section below or visit our Facebook or Twitter page.

Have a read and see how many of them you use to test just how Janner you are.

'Oright?'

A friendly greeting, often used as a conversation starter or form of acknowledgement.

The man was tucking into a pasty while sat on Plymouth Hoe when his phone rang.

He answered: "Oright?"

'Alright me lover?'

A slight variant of 'oright'. Used to greet a fellow Janner.

Pronounced al-reet me love-errrrr.

'Cheers 'en'

Often used to signal the end of a conversation, as an informal version of goodbye. Can also be used instead of thank you.

After paying the cashier, the customer picked up his bags and said: "Cheers 'en!"

'Maid'

An old fashioned term used to describe a young woman. Popular among older Janners.

"Alreet maid?"

'Burd'

A slang term of endearment also used to describe a woman. Considered the female counterpart to 'bey' (for use, see below).

'Bey'

A slang term of endearment used to describe a man.

"Oright burd?"

"Oright bey?"

'Where's it to?'

Meaning, where is it? This question is often asked by lost Janners looking to get somewhere.

The young man was looking for the toilet after becoming separated from his friends while partying in Oceana.

He turned to a member of staff and asked: "Where's the toilet to?"

'Helluva'

Very many, a large number, very much. Derives from 'a lot of'.

Watching on from the crowd as Plymouth Argyle faced Exeter City in the league, the young Pilgrim observed: "There's a helluva lot of away fans in here today."

'Ideal'

Not specific to Janners, 'ideal' is commonly used to indicate something good. Can also be used as a form of agreement.

"Drake Circus is open late on Thursday night," the girl said.

"Ideal," her friend responded.

'Asders'

A local phrase, meaning Asda.

"I was going to order my weekly shop online, but Asders is open 'till 8pm tonight so I'll go there this evening."

'Tescos'

A local phrase, meaning Tesco. Adding 's' on to the end of a supermarket name or brand is common ('Lidls', 'Aldis').

'Kwarp'

Exception to the rule above, Co-Operative stores in Plymouth are commonly referred to as 'Kwarp'. Pronounced co-waa-rp.

"Fancy a Kwarp meal deal?" Pete said.

"Sure, I haven't 'ad one of them in a while."

'Lotteries'

Meaning The National Lottery

'Smooth'

This term is commonly used instead of stroke.

"Can I smooth your cat?" Josie asked.

'Demport'

A reference to the area of Devonport, a waterside neighbourhood of Plymouth.

Delighted with her son's success in the 11 plus test, the mother said: "Congratulations! You're going to Demport High School for Boys."

'Onickno'

An abbreviated reference to the area of Honicknowle, which borders West Park, Ham, Crownhill, Whitleigh and Pennycross.

'Erny'

An abbreviated reference to the area of Ernesettle in the north west of Plymouth.

"Fancy a kickabout down Erny, beys?" Tom asked.

"Yes mate, I'm up for that."

'Budo'

An abbreviated reference to the area of St Budeaux.

'Mentoe'

Not to be confused with Mentos the mints, this term typically refers to something 'mental' i.e. something great, fun, busy.

Looking forward to watching Tinie Tempah play at MTV Crashes , Jacob turned to his mate and said: "It's going to be absolutely mentoe."

'Ansome'

A term of endearment, used to describe a good-looking or attractive person (usually male). Abbreviated from handsome.

Often accompanied by 'bleddy' as a form of exaggeration.

Turning to her grandson, the woman said: "You're bleddy ansome, aren't ya?"

'Purpo'

A colour intermediate between red and blue. Derives from the word 'purple'.

'Appo'

By replacing 'le' at the end of a word with 'o', appo is used by Janners to indicate apple. Same rule applies to purple (above) and horrible (below).

'Horribo'

Not to be confused with Haribo sweets. Horribo derives from the word horrible, but can also mean bad, shocking, awful.

"Don't you buy those Haribo sweets," his mother said.

"They're horribo and bad for your teeth."

'Geddon'

A popular saying, used as a form of greeting or encouragement. Often accompanied by 'bey'.

Looking down at his scratch card, the man realised he had just won £100.

"Geddon bey," he said.

'This afty'

Used to imply this afternoon or evening.

"Can you look after the kids this afty?" Lucy asked.

"You must be mentoe!" John replied.

'Af ower'

Pronounced a-f ow-er.

This means half-an-hour. So when you're waiting for a friend to meet you in town and they say they're going to be another af ower, you now know you have some time to kill.

'Innit'

A classic Janner term. You won't get far in Plymuff before hearing this, but do not be alarmed. Innit can be used as a form of agreement, usually said at the end of a sentence.

"Home Park definitely the best stadium in League Two, innit."

'Errybody knows dat'

Pronounced erry-body know-s da-at, this phrase was made popular by Plymouth's very own, Larry Speare, during one of his well-known advertising campaigns.

'Fore'

A shortened version of before.

"Now, fore you asks, I am an Oggy Oggy fan."

'Where's me am beg?'

If you see a woman (or man) looking slightly distressed and saying this, then you need to stop what you're doing and help.

What they're actually saying is, where is my handbag?

You must always help a Janner in distress (errybody knows dat).

'I doose it'

Pronounced I do-oo-ze it.

This phrase actually means 'I do it' or 'I did it', but the supermarket rule of adding an 's' to the end of a word seems to apply in this case.

"Does anybody else say I doose instead of I does?"

"Yeah mate, I doose that all the time without even realising!"

'Like gat'

Pronounced like ga-at. You've really got to extend the middle part.

Simply means 'like that'.

"Why have you done the pasty like gat?"

"Oggy Oggy don't dooze 'em like gat."

'Goppin'

Something foul, disgusting, horribo.

'Dimpsy'