heyday

English

Etymology

Late 16th century, from earlier heyda (1520s), as exclamation – compare hey, hei. Sense “period of success, vigor” is a respelling as heyday based on unrelated day (as “period of time”) – compare day in the sun.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈheɪdeɪ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪdeɪ

Noun

heyday (plural heydays)

1. A period of success, popularity, or power; prime.

   The early twentieth century was the heyday of the steam locomotive.

   • c. 1626 or 1629–1633 (first performance), [John Ford], ’Tis Pitty Shee’s a Whore , London: Nicholas Okes for Richard Collins, , published 1633, →OCLC, Act IV:

     Must your hot ytch and plurisie of lust, The heyday of your luxury, be fedd Up to a surfeite, and could none but I Be pickt out to be cloake to your close tricks, Your belly-sports?

2. (archaic) An exultation of the spirits; gaiety; frolic.

Synonyms

• day in the sun
• golden age
• golden years
• good old days

Related terms

• hey

Translations

Interjection

heyday

1. A lively greeting.
   • 1798, Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey:

     "Heyday, Miss Morland!" said he. "What is the meaning of this? I thought you and I were to dance together."

2. (obsolete) An expression of frolic and exultation, and sometimes of wonder.
   • 1600, Ben Jonson - Cynthia's Revels :

     "Come follow me, my wags, and say, as I say. There's no riches but in rags; hey day, hey day, &c."

   • 1633, John Ford, The Broken Heart, act IV, scene i, page 252:

     Bass. Heydey! good words, good words, I must beleeue'em And be a Coxcombe for my labor.

   • 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A Millar, , →OCLC:

     Here Jones, having ordered a servant to show a room above stairs, was ascending, when the dishevelled fair, hastily following, was laid hold on by the master of the house, who cried, “Heyday, where is that beggar wench going? Stay below stairs, I desire you.”

Synonyms

• (greeting): See Thesaurus:hello
• (expression of wonder): See Thesaurus:wow

References