A variation of the word "hey." Can be
used as a greeting, usually with the syllable drawn out while simultaneously rising and falling in inflection, as illustrated below in Example 1.
Can also be used as an expression of enthusiastic agreement in a conversation, as demonstrated below in Example 2.
NOTE:
One theory suggests that this variation of "hey" was popularized by the character of
Dwayne (portrayed by Haywood
Nelson) in the sitcom "What's Happenin'," although
Dwayne's usage was three "hays" with shortened syllables, with the inflection on the middle "hay," as shown in Example 3 below.