soldiers

[sympathy]

Well I often watch American films to learn English.
I have one question: in the army, I notice that when a private understands clearly the order of an officer, he will shout something. He means "I got it, sir." But I couldn't make out what he says. The pronuncation is close to "eye-eye, sir"
What does the private actually say ?

 

[heidita]

Hi sympathy, by far the most frequent spelling is aye, which is also used in the sailor’s double response to an order (Aye-aye, sir.)

It's a variant spelling of the affirmative reply “yes” and also of the noun for such replies (The ayes have it.)
cheers

 

[Anglika]

Note - "aye aye" is only used in the Navy, not in either the Army or the Airforce.

 

[heidita]

Note - "aye aye" is only used in the Navy, not in either the Army or the Airforce.

Oh, it isn't? Then, which one is used? I thought I had heard that in films ...

cheers

 

[Anglika]

Yes, sir.

But don't forget that marines [who act like foot-soldiers] are in fact part of the Navy.

 

[heidita]

I see, Anglika. Of course, I knew this Yes,sir, but I thought "aye, aye sir", was sort of more popular.

thanks.

cheers

 

[Ouisch]

"Aye-aye, sir" is used by both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marines.

 

[Jaguar]

Do they still say 'aye-aye'?

Jag

 

[Anglika]

Yes - and in the British Navy as well.

 

[Jaguar]

And in some parts of Britain 'yes' has been replaced by 'aye'. In Newcastle, for example.

Jag

 

[Anglika]

And in some parts of Britain 'yes' has been replaced by 'aye'. In Newcastle, for example.

Jag

#

Not replaced. It is the common dialectical form in the north of Britain.