Is it "hear, hear", or "here, here"?

[Kire]

discuss

[Feathered Fish]

1. "hear, hear"

I think.

[TrueAmerican]

2. It's actually Hear Yee, Hear Yee

nt

[kikiek]

3. Wouldn't it depend?

If you're pointing out a place it is here, here. If you're trying to get peoples attention to listen to something it's hear, hear.

[MrSlayer]

4. It's "hear , hear".

It was commonly used to express agreement, that all should hear the words and take heed.

[saltpoint]

5. Folks ahead here have it right --

===

This clip is from http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mhear.html

From Cecil's Mailbag by the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why do people say, "Hear, hear"?
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Straight Dope:

When you agree with someone, do you say "Here Here!" or "Hear Hear" ? And what does it mean? What is the origin of "Here Here" or "Hear Hear"? --Tymoma195

SDSTAFF Veg replies:

The correct term is, "hear, hear!" It is an abbreviation for "hear, all ye good people, hear what this brilliant and eloquent speaker has to say!"

Of course, if the speaker is actually asking a question, such as "and just where do you think we should open the new strip club?" it's not hard to imagine that at least one yahoo in attendance might yell, "here, here!" But this would be the exception that proves the rule.

--SDSTAFF Veg

Straight Dope Science Advisory Board



Cecil's Mailbag is researched and written by members of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board, Cecil's online auxiliary. Although the SDSAB does its best, these articles are edited by Ed Zotti, not Cecil, so accuracywise you'd better keep your fingers crossed.

===