what say you

English

WOTD – 10 February 2023

Etymology

Early Modern English syntax for what do you say; at the time, do-support was not yet obligatory. Compare Middle English what seien ye.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌ(h)wɒt seɪ ˈjuː/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌ(h)wʌt seɪ ˈju/, /ˌwɑt-/
• Rhymes: -uː

Phrase

what say you

1. (formal) What do you say? What is your opinion?

   Synonym: how say you

   • 1653, Iz[aak] Wa[lton], chapter II, in The Compleat Angler or The Contemplative Man’s Recreation. Being a Discourse of Fish and Fishing, […], London: […] T. Maxey for Rich[ard] Marriot, […], →OCLC; reprinted as The Compleat Angler (Homo Ludens; 6), Nieuwkoop, South Holland, Netherlands: Miland Publishers, 1969, →ISBN, page 60:

     But vvhat ſay you novv? there is a Trout novv, and a good one too, if I can but hold him; and tvvo or three turns more vvill tire him: […]

   • 1823, [James Fenimore Cooper], chapter I, in The Pioneers, or The Sources of the Susquehanna; […], volume I, New York, N.Y.: Charles Wiley;  […], →OCLC, page 13:

     "What say you, my friend," cried the traveller, turning pleasantly to Natty's companion; "shall we toss up this dollar for the honour, and you keep the silver if you lose – what say you, friend?"

   • 2009 May 18, Trevor Corson, “Does Race Matter for Sushi Chefs?”, in The Atlantic‎^[1], Washington, D.C.: The Atlantic Monthly Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2022-06-26:

     I think this is a huge boon to sushi in America. But these American sushi chefs have told me they face discrimination from American customers, who assume that because they're not Japanese or even Asian, they don't know what they're doing. Of course, there are good American chefs and not-so-good American chefs, but in my experience this applies to chefs who look Asian, too. What say you?

   • 2013 October 25, Katharine Murphy, “Andrew Bolt v Tony Abbott: all very amiable – up to a point”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian‎^[2], London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2022-01-27:

     Bags are no sooner unpacked in the prime ministerial suite than it's down to tin tacks: to implementation. Here's my wish list, what say you? Yes, it really is that transactional. Sorry.

   1. (law) When addressed to a defendant in court: how do you plead? Also, when addressed to a jury or its foreperson: what is your verdict?

      Synonym: how say you

2. (informal)
   1. Sometimes followed by if: how about or what about (something)?
   2. Followed by to: do you fancy, or would you like (something, such as an activity or a drink or a food item)?
      • c. 1591–1595 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] Romeo and Juliet. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Iohn Danter, published 1597, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv]:

        If vve ſhould reuell much, therefore vve vvill haue / Some halfe a dozen frends and make no more adoe. / But vvhat ſay you to Thurſday.

      • c. 1613 (first performance), John Fletcher, “The Tragedie of Bonduca”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, →OCLC, Act II, scene iii, page 54, column 1:

        VVhat ſay you to a leg of Beef novv, ſirha?

      • 1751 December (indicated as 1752), Henry Fielding, “In which are Many Profound Secrets of Philosophy”, in Amelia, volume III, London: […] [William Strahan] for A[ndrew] Millar […], →OCLC, book VIII, pages 202–203:

        Come, Captain, let not your noble Courage be caſt dovvn; vvhat ſay you to a Glaſs of vvhite VVine, or a Tiff of Punch, by VVay of VVhet?

Translations

what is your opinion? — see what do you say

when addressed to a defendant in court: how do you plead?

• Finnish: kuinka vastaatte syytteisiin?
• Macedonian: please add this translation if you can

when addressed to a jury or its foreperson: what is your verdict?

• Finnish: mikä on tuomionne?
• Macedonian: please add this translation if you can

how about or what about (something)? — see how about,‎ what about

do you fancy or would you like (something)?

• Finnish: haluaisitko ...
• Macedonian: please add this translation if you can

Further reading

• “how (also what) say you, phrase” under “say, v.¹ and int.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, December 2022.
• “what do (also would) you say to […] what say you to (now rare), †how say you to, phrase” under “say, v.¹ and int.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, December 2022.
• “what do you say (if) (occasionally what say you (if))” under “say, v.¹ and int.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, December 2022.