to axe

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

(Ang. Sax. aesian, axian.) To ask.


This word is now considered a vulgarism; though, like many others under the same censure, it is as old as the English language. Among the early writers it was used the same as ask is now. In England it still exists in the colloquial dialect of Norfolk and other counties. A true born Londoner, says Pegge, in his Anecdotes of the English Language, always axes questions, axes pardon, and at quadrilles, axes leave. In the United States it is somewhat used by the vulgar.--Forby's Vocabulary. Richardson's Dic.

And Pilate axide him, art thou Kyng of Jewis? And Jhesus answeride and seide to him, thou seist.--Wiclif, Trans of the Bible.

A poor lazar, upon a tide,

Came to the gate, and axed meate.--Gower, Con. Anc.

Margaret, Countess of Richmond and Derby, in a letter to her son, Henry VII., concludes with--

As herty blessings as ye can axe of God.--Lord Howard.

In the next reign, Dr. John Clarke writes to Cardinal Wolsey, and tells him that--

The King axed after your grace's welfare.--Pegge's Anecdote.

Day before yesterday, I went down to the Post Office, and ax'd the Post-master if there was anything for me.--Maj. Jones's Courtship, p. 173.

I have often axed myself what sort of a gall that splendiferoos Lady of the Lake of Scott's was.-- Sam Slick in Eng., ch. 30.

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

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