Etymology

Interjection

1. Used to hail a ship, a boat or a person, or to attract attention.

Usage notes

• Traditionally, when used from a ship to hail an approaching boat, the standard responses are:
  • "aye aye", if a commissioned officer is in the boat;
  • "no no", if no officer is in the boat;
  • name of ship, if the captain of another ship is in the boat;
  • "flag" if an admiral is in the boat.