Sup & επ

[Theseus]

This English colloquialism 'sup' is a shortened form of 'what's up?' & the Greek equivalent is given as επ. What on earth is επ supposed to be a shortened form of?:curse:

 

[SBE]

I think it's not a shortened form of anything, it's the interjection επ!

 

[daeman]

I think it's not a shortened form of anything, it's the interjection επ!

Exactly: επ [ép] επιφ. : συνήθ. δηλώνει ξάφνιασμα, ξαφνική κίνηση κτλ.: επ, σε τσάκωσα! [ηχομιμ.]

Btw, there's a joke about the allegedly shortest dialogue in Greek, when someone opens the door of an occupied bathroom:

—Επ! (the occupant, surprised and exclaiming that the bathroom is occupied)
—Ωπ! (the intruder exclaiming that it was an accident, they didn't know it was occupied and they apologise for the intrusion)

—Hey!
—Oops!

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To the point in question, the common, non-slang equivalent of "What's up" is "Πώς πάει;" or as the French would say: "Comment ça va ?"

—Ça va (bien) ?
—Ça va.

—Καλά;
—Καλά.

Geht's gut?

Uns geht's gut - Bittenbinder

 

[Theseus]

Thank you, both. Interjections are very difficult parts of any language for a learner to acquire the nuances of each. I have been recently looking for a modern Greek equivalent of 'brrr' to indicate the reaction of a person to cold. Any suggestions?

 

[daeman]

... I have been recently looking for a modern Greek equivalent of 'brrr' to indicate the reaction of a person to cold. Any suggestions?

Several, in a new thread: ψοφόκρυο.