Same entry in other lexica. The first element in the headword phrase is an "exclamation of surprise" (so the
scholia to
Aeschylus,
Prometheus 114, where
ἆ ἆ ἔα ἔα occurs), reiterated in LSJ s.v., rather than the imperative of
ἐάω 'allow' (
epsilon 1).
For the history and use of this exclamation see E. Fraenkel's long and important note in his edition of
Aeschylus,
Agamemnon (on lines 1256f.: vol. 3.580 n.4) and the grammarian Schwyzer in
KZ 60 (1933) 144 ff. It appears no longer to imply the willingness to allow something to go ahead found in the usual translation "OK then".
Robert Dyer (Cosmetics, added note and keyword, raised status) on 10 December 2002@06:20:46.
Robert Dyer (Corrected translation of headword and my own recent vetting to take into account Fraenkel's important note) on 16 December 2002@10:10:33.
David Whitehead (expanded note) on 23 June 2011@06:32:02.
David Whitehead on 23 June 2011@06:32:29.
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