In this sentence:
If you're going to take that pie I just baked, why, you've got a lot of nerve.
what role does the word "why" take? I know I've heard it in conversational speech enough to know it's legitimate, but it looks really odd in print.
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Jason S
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heh, I agree, but it's really hard to search for something when the only clue you have is the word "why". :-) – Jason S Jun 26 '13 at 13:57
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I object to this being marked as a duplicate! The supposed previous question that is duplicated asks WHEN the usage began. This question is asking about the grammatical terminology for the usage. Related, yes, but no way is this a duplicate. – Cyberherbalist Jun 26 '13 at 18:16
1 Answers
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It's an exclamation (or perhaps more formally, interjection), either in ODO's sense 2 or OED's IV.7.b.
why
exclamation
1 expressing surprise or indignation: why, that’s absurd!
2 used to add emphasis to a response: ‘You think so?’ ‘Why, yes.’
why
IV.
7. Used interjectionally, before a sentence or clause.
a. As an expression of surprise (sometimes only momentary or slight; sometimes involving protest), either in reply to a remark or question, or on perceiving something unexpected.1893 M. Pemberton Iron Pirate i, Mary looked up suddenly..and said,..‘Why, I believe I've been asleep!’
b. Emphasizing or calling more or less abrupt attention to the statement following (as in the apodosis of a sentence), in opposition to a possible or vaguely apprehended doubt or objection.
1869 G. J. Whyte-Melville Songs & Verses 93 So he made for the gate,..And the chain being round it, why—over he flew!
[OED]
Andrew Leach
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It's a pragmatic particle, like well, see, look, listen, now, oh, um, er, ah. It contributes no semantic meaning to the sentence, but indicates the pragmatic interpretation that the speaker intends. – John Lawler Jun 26 '13 at 20:42