I say
Mild surprise interjection
I say is a British exclamation expressing surprise, admiration, or serving to call attention: I say, that's rather good!
It can also introduce a remark or suggestion: I say, why don't we try the other route?
The phrase sounds old-fashioned and is now often used ironically or for comic effect, evoking upper-class English manners.
Intense sudden wonder
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- incredulityInability to accept something
wow · gosh · goodness · heavens · well · my word · good gracious · fancy that
British surprise interjection
- crikeyMild surprise interjection
- bloody hellBritish oath of surprise
- dear meGentle dismay expression
- good heavensQuaint surprise utterance
I declare · cheerio · righto · jolly good · rather · quite · indeed · tally-ho
Emotional outcry word class
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
- utteranceSpoken expression aloud
- outburstSudden emotional release
- phraseWords forming partial meaning
declaration · announcement · proclamation · remark · statement · vocalization · verbal tic · filler
Quaint surprised exclamation
- land sakesFolksy surprise interjection
- mercy meGenteel surprise exclamation
- upon my wordExclamation pledging truthfulness
- bless my soulMild surprised exclamation
goodness gracious · dear me · well I never · my stars · egad · forsooth · zounds · prithee
Pressure, mental or vocal
- insistenceUnyielding demand for something
- assertionConfident statement of fact
- affirmationPositive statement of truth
- underscoringStressing for importance
absolutely · certainly · definitely · truly · really · indeed · honestly · frankly
astonishment
Intense sudden wonder
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
incredulity · wow · gosh · goodness · heavens · well · my word · good gracious · fancy that · who knew
blimey
British surprise interjection
- crikeyMild surprise interjection
- bloody hellBritish oath of surprise
- dear meGentle dismay expression
good heavens · I declare · cheerio · righto · jolly good · rather · quite · indeed · tally-ho · pip pip
interjection
Emotional outcry word class
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
- utteranceSpoken expression aloud
- outburstSudden emotional release
phrase · declaration · announcement · proclamation · remark · statement · vocalization · verbal tic · filler · aside
I declare
Quaint surprised exclamation
- land sakesFolksy surprise interjection
- mercy meGenteel surprise exclamation
- upon my wordExclamation pledging truthfulness
bless my soul · goodness gracious · dear me · well I never · my stars · egad · forsooth · zounds · prithee · alack
stress
Pressure, mental or vocal
- insistenceUnyielding demand for something
- assertionConfident statement of fact
- affirmationPositive statement of truth
underscoring · absolutely · certainly · definitely · truly · really · indeed · honestly · frankly · seriously