Thai greeting Thai greeting The Thai greeting referred to as the "wai" (, ) consists of a slight bow, with the palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion. It has its origin in the Indian "Añjali Mudrā", like the Indian "namaste" and Burmese "Mingalar Par". The higher the hands are held in relation to the face and the lower the bow, the more respect or reverence the giver of the "wai" is showing. The "wai" is traditionally observed upon formally entering a house. After the visit is over, the visitor asks for permission to leave and repeats the salutation made upon entering.
Ahoy (greeting) used it to address the congregation from the pulpit. A recent resurgence in the popularity of the term has resulted from its use by "The Simpsons" character Montgomery Burns, who often answers the telephone with the greeting of "Ahoy-hoy." The use of the now-defunct ahoy-hoy, instead of the standard "hello", is a running joke referring to Mr. Burns' very advanced age. Lyrics to "Solid Potato Salad" performed by the Ross Sisters in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Technicolor musical film "Broadway Rhythm" in 1944 include the words "Hoy hoy" Czechoslovak cartoon character Mole also often used the greeting ahoj, popularizing it amongst children