ahoy-hoy
English
Etymology
From ahoy.
In the 1870s, Scottish-born inventor Alexander Graham Bell did much development for the newly-invented telephone. Bell’s preferred salutation, ahoy-hoy was derived from the nautical term “Ahoy” which in its turn is derived from Dutch “hoi” meaning “hi”. A recent resurgence in the popularity of the term has resulted from its use by The Simpsons character Montgomery Burns, who often answers the telephone with the greeting of “Ahoy-hoy.” The use of the now-defunct ahoy-hoy, instead of the standard “hello“, is a running joke referring to Mr. Burns’ very advanced age.