what say you
Language: English
Part of speech: phrase
Pronunciation: ipa: /ˌ(h)wɒt seɪ ˈjuː/
ipa: /ˌ(h)wʌt seɪ ˈju/
ipa: /ˌwɑt-/
rhymes: -uː
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.
Senses: examples: text: 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: […]
ref: 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:
text: "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?"
ref: 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:
text: 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?
ref: 2009 May 18, Trevor Corson, “Does Race Matter for Sushi Chefs?”, in The Atlantic, Washington, D.C.: The Atlantic Monthly Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 26 Jun 2022:
text: 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.
ref: 2013 October 25, Katharine Murphy, “Andrew Bolt v Tony Abbott: all very amiable – up to a point”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 27 Jan 2022:
synonyms: how say you
glosses: What do you say? What is your opinion?
topics: law
synonyms: how say you
how say you
glosses: What do you say? What is your opinion?
When addressed to a defendant in court: how do you plead? Also, when addressed to a jury or its foreperson: what is your verdict?
glosses: Sometimes followed by if: how about or what about (something)?
examples: text: 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.
ref: c. 1591–1595 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] Romeo and Juliet. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Iohn Danter, published 1597, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv]:
text: VVhat ſay you to a leg of Beef novv, ſirha?
ref: 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:
text: 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?
ref: 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:
glosses: Followed by to: do you fancy, or would you like (something, such as an activity or a drink or a food item)?