Etymology Unknown; perhaps from an African language (possibly Yoruba ófé (“to evade, disappear”)). Pig Latin for foe, though popularly posited, is probably not accurate. A possible point of origin is Cab Calloway's Hepster's Dictionary, where the word is defined as "Policeman or law enforcement, 'The Man'".
For example we have words like ofay, pink, fade, space, Mr. Charlie, cracker, peckawood, hoojah, and so on—nice words and bitter.[1929, Claude McKay, Banjo, published 1957, →ISBN, page 217:
You get outa my alley, Lucas -- and take that ofay with you, hear?1983 May, Kurt Busiek, “The Chemistro Connection”, in Power Man and Iron Fist, volume 1, number 93, Marvel Comics Group:
1 more example
The rival, the foe, the ofay, veins stretched and bulged between white knuckles.1997, Don DeLillo, Underworld:
ofay
adj
Etymology Unknown; perhaps from an African language (possibly Yoruba ófé (“to evade, disappear”)). Pig Latin for foe, though popularly posited, is probably not accurate. A possible point of origin is Cab Calloway's Hepster's Dictionary, where the word is defined as "Policeman or law enforcement, 'The Man'".
“You better tell your little ofay kid friend move along.”1963 (date written), John Kennedy Toole, A Confederacy of Dunces, London: Penguin Books, published 1980 (1981 printing), →ISBN:
‘Baby,’ April Elgar said, ‘you may be an uptight ofay milk-toast limey bastard, but you ain’t no fag.’1984. Anthony Burgess, Enderby's Dark Lady
1 more example
Everything is strictly peachy keen, as the ofay kids say.1959. Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun