aht aht

interjection

Etymology

A written representation of a vocalization resembling a vowel sound followed by a glottal stop, made instinctively to express disapproval, refusal, or warning. Although also recorded in other varieties of English, this term is particularly associated with African American English, especially in online communication. For a similar imitative or expressive formation with wider distribution, compare OED uh-uh, adv.

Meaning & use

Also ahtaht, ahht ahht, aht aht ah(h)

  1. 1909–Expresses a direct order to stop or forbid what one is doing, to negatively show disagreement or refusal.

    cultural This term is originally associated with reprimanding or disciplining children; while certainly existing orally for much longer in the speech community, its earlier AAE usage was not found to have been recorded in textual evidence.

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    1909
    Your momma never went "aht aht!" when you were almost about to touch something you shouldn't have been touching?
    Times 25 January 7
    1927
    Aht aht, where do you think you're going?
    S. Lewis Elmer Gantry 1960 xi. 175
    1933
    ahtaht, this what we not gon do
    J. W. FriendJ. K. Feibleman Sci. & Spirit of Man ii. 107
    1966
    AHT, AHT! You are not coming, it bad enough ya husband is going to be there.
    A. MacLean When Eight Bells Toll x. 203
    1981
    ok ok, soooooo dat explains it. CHRIS BROWN done EVEN REMEMBER hittin shawty. ... I Knew my dog didnt do it. HAHAHA aht aht , ima chill
    Province Vancouver, British Columbia 2 March (Magazine) 10/3
    1989
    I feel like I'm soo soo soo close to finding the right woman for me but every time I think there's a chance, God pull ah "aht aht ahh oh you thought it was" on ma dumbass smh lmao
    P. O'Brian Thirteen Gun Salute 1992 viii. 231
    1990
    He want that old thing back. Aht aht ah.☝
    Herald & Review Decatur, Illinois 14 January d3
    1998
    [ : i know a nigga bi as soon as he say he a pisces] ahht ahht! aint nun wrong w being bi. it absolutely is som wrong w being a pisces tho! 😭
    Fortean Times July 47/1
    1999
    AHT AHT! lmfaoo remember our parents used to say that to us when we had somethn we weren't supposed to? wtf does tht meannnn
    D. Haslam Manchester, England vi. 147