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In my very soon to be published ( I hope) wip, I've come across a macho man using the term 'Yay' when he's excited and about to go surfing.

I've used that word because that's what I say. But would a macho man use it? If not, what would he use? Without swearing, please.

Of course it would be easier if I allowed myself to let him swear. But hey ho. Any help will be gratefully received.

Hi Anna! Hope all is well with you. Congratulations on your upcoming book!!

In my polite opinion, a macho man would most likely not say "Yay." I'm thinking of movies I've seen and I recall terms such as "Yeah," or "Great!" Sorry if those don't work. Hugs

Anna Faversham wrote: "In my very soon to be published ( I hope) wip, I've come across a macho man using the term 'Yay' when he's excited and about to go surfing.

I've used that word because that's what I say. But would..."

It depends. Some guys would, probably, depending on the context. It might be used as a more lighthearted or silly mode of expression than a serious exclamation of excitement, but it's not unheard of.

Thank you, Sam and Dale. I think it's gotta go.

About to take on the waves can be a bit like going off to war! Though in my case, on nice little British waves, I simply felt like I was flying on a magic carpet.

Perhaps I'll put 'Yeah - this is life!' Or something.

More offers welcome.

Anna Faversham wrote: "Thank you, Sam and Dale. I think it's gotta go.

About to take on the waves can be a bit like going off to war! Though in my case, on nice little British waves, I simply felt like I was flying on ..."

You're welcome, Anna. That sounds good. Wishing you the best on publication. Hugs

Anna Faversham wrote: "In my very soon to be published ( I hope) wip, I've come across a macho man using the term 'Yay' when he's excited and about to go surfing.

I've used that word because that's what I say. But would..."

I love that you asked this because I came across the same problem when working on one of my WIPs. I had a guy say 'yay' before realising that wasn't so manly and ended up making a joke of it...

"Okay, so I was leaving, but hey, yay for you and Meg."
"And I guess yay for you guys?" he said tentatively. "You know, even if I'm right, I'm not sure I'm happy I just used that phrase," he said then, making a face.
"It's a definite yay," Jennifer confirmed, "or whatever somewhat manlier phrase you prefer," she told him with a grin.

Alex wrote: "I say yay, but I'm not sure I qualify as a manly man.

I also flap my hands when I get excited (it's an autistic stim)"

Alex, you say whatever you want. I've been known to say "Awesome!" which is outdated. Hugs

Alex wrote: "We can be outdated together Sam because I still say awesome as well."

Alex, we may live across the world away, but we are two peas in a pod. I'm glad we can relate to each other. Hugs

Anna,
Sorry for diverting the conversation of your thread. I started it and am sorry. Hugs

Alex,
You're right. No matter where we live, we have each other to communicate with and lean on. Hugs

Oh no apologies necessary, Sam. I've grinned all the way through reading these posts. What a wonderful lot you are. It's been so very helpful.

Chester (his name) is so far from being normal (he's beginning to think) that I could probably get away with anything. However, somehow that 'yay' stopped me in my tracks on the 4th read through, though why it didn't jump out at me before, I just don't know. He's in macho surfing NZ so I'll be kind to him and I've taken it out.

Anna Faversham wrote: "Oh no apologies necessary, Sam. I've grinned all the way through reading these posts. What a wonderful lot you are. It's been so very helpful.

Chester (his name) is so far from being normal (he's ..."

Anna, Thank you for your understanding and acceptance.

No, I'm not a published author... yet... I truly am working on it. Whenever I write something and edit it, if something feels wrong, I think about it and make a note. Then I go back later and read it again. If it still bothers me, I change it. Good luck with the book. Hugs.

Thanks, Sam. Good luck with your writing too. Enjoying writing is such a good thing to have, especially in lockdown. Though most writers are in semi-lockdown permanently!

So true, Anna. I encourage all authors to come out of their "writing cave," and give the kitchen table a try, or even a tray on the sofa. Hugs

Alex wrote: "We can be outdated together Sam because I still say awesome as well."

Oh there's some awesomes in the book too, but then it is set in rural New Zealand so I'm going to run with that.

I'm definitely a cave writer, Sam. Writing room (surrounded by books), door shut, silence. If the telephone rings, it just gets stared at, er... glared might be a better word. If I'm in the Regency period how come there's this thing ringing?

With the NZ section of the wip, I'm all right with the wind and the rain, we've had a little of that today. For non-Brits, most of us haven't had any rain for a whole month.

Writing on the sofa, Sam, is awesome! :o)

And Valerie - wow you've written a lot of books. I'm sticking with wow!

Anna Faversham wrote: "Alex wrote: "We can be outdated together Sam because I still say awesome as well."

Oh there's some awesomes in the book too, but then it is set in rural New Zealand so I'm going to run with that."

Actually, I recall hearing that word a few times recently on TV. Just like anything else, it could be making a comeback. Go with it!

The characters who say 'awesome' are meant to be somewhat behind the times, so I guess it'll be fine...

Anna Faversham wrote: "And Valerie - wow you've written a lot of books. I'm sticking with wow!"

I hope that's a good wow and not a bad wow? lol

To be fair, although I published them within the last three years, most of the work was done over the last 20 years! Most of them were already written, quite a lot of them were edited and in pretty decent shape, I just didn't know self-publishing had become so much easier than it used to be until 2016/2017. By then, I just had this big back catalogue that I'd been waiting to share with the world, so I did :)

Edited to add: Also, I still say awesome and had no idea I was behind the times, but to be fair, I was never in with the in crowd to begin with, so I have no idea!

Definitely a good 'wow'. Respect. Cool. (Think they're still 'in')

Cool became horrifically dated and I was ever so careful not to say it - then suddenly realised that teenagers were "cooling" everywhere so what the heck.
Mind you, teenagers have somehow decided to wear those hats with a pom pom and ear flaps and plaited wool string on. Applaud the practicality but I bet it's because they think they're cool.....

Ah... cool, anyone who says it must be cool. I must remember to say it.