Pst
/pst/noun
An interjection used to attract someone’s attention quietly.
Did you know?Unlike inherited words, “pst” is an imitative attention-signal: its meaning comes from the physical sound itself rather than an ancient spoken root.
Etymological Timeline
19th Century
English
pst
“A written representation of a brief hissing or lip-made sound used to attract attention.”
Late 19th Century
English
psst
“An expanded spelling of the same quiet attention-getting interjection.”
Early 20th Century
English
pst
“A conventional literary and conversational form for discreetly calling to someone.”
Modern English
English
pst
“A short interjection used to get attention, often suggesting secrecy or privacy.”