An exclamation used to get someone's attention or to show surprise, often used in nautical contexts like 'ahoy.'
From Dutch 'hoi' or Old Norse origins. It's related to 'ahoy' and was used by sailors as a call; the Greek phrase 'hoi polloi' uses it as the Greek definite article meaning 'the,' but that's a different word.
Most English speakers don't realize 'hoi' is its own word—we know it mainly from 'hoi polloi' (the common people), but sailors have been shouting 'hoi!' across water for centuries!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.