dey

[ dey ]

/ deɪ /

the title of the governor of Algiers before the French conquest in 1830.

a title sometimes used by the former rulers of Tunis and Tripoli.

Origin of dey

1650–60; < French < Turkish dayι orig., maternal uncle

Perhaps he holds up a manila folder and declares “I is all done wit me quahtahly repahts boss, and dey is IRIE!”

Volkswagen’s Super Bowl Ad an Unfunny Slight to Culture |Pia Glenn |January 31, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
When it's over, de Marster comes home and dey holds a big celebration.

Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves. |Work Projects Administration
Dey all dance crazy and make up funny songs to go wid de dance.

Slave Narratives, Oklahoma |Various
Dey searched de house, and take out what dey want, den set de house afire.

Slave Narratives Vol. XIV. South Carolina, Part 2 |Works Projects Administration

dey

/ (deɪ) /

the title given to commanders or (from 1710) governors of the Janissaries of Algiers (1671–1830)

a title applied by Western writers to various other Ottoman governors, such as the bey of Tunis

C17: from French, from Turkish dayi, literally: maternal uncle, hence title given to an older person