Aye? Quick question.

[Scattercat]

Is it "Aye-aye, sir" or "Aye, aye, sir?" or "Aye aye, sir?"

I have no idea, and Google/Wikipedia have been unhelpful (though I did learn about the aye-aye (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aye-aye), which is apparently that thing that sang the "Move it, Move it" song in Madagascar (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0351283/).

[Daedalus]

It's "Aye aye, sir".

[Blossom]

See now I would have thought it was "Aye aye, Cap'n!"

But that's just me :p

So, yes, I would go with "Aye aye, sir!"

[Cogito]

Or simply, "Aye, sir." Does any branch of any military actually use "Aye aye"?

[mammamaia]

the nit-picky correct punctuation would be with 2 commas... just as it would be if it were 'yes, yes' or 'no, no'... and of course there would have to be another comma before the person being addressed...

the double went out of fashion as the norm some time ago, though some may still use it today...

[Nilfiry]

Probably just another writer's preference since modern writing has alot of unconventional stuff. Just keep it consistent.

[Cogito]

the double went out of fashion as the norm some time ago, though some may still use it today...That's what I thought.

On the other hand, if you are writing a period piece, then the double "aye" would be appropriate.

[Daedalus]

Military forces still use the double version, though it's mostly a naval term. From what I've read, there is no comma after the first aye.

[Scattercat]

It's purely a humorous usage anyway. I just wanted to know how to punctuate it properly, because even if my character isn't a grammar pedant, I am. :)

[AnonyMouse]

Grammatically, there should be a comma ("aye, aye, cap'n") because it's a repeat. But, because the character doesn't actually pause there when speaking, I wouldn't bother putting a comma. "Aye aye, cap'n."

I'm no expert, but there's my $.02

[mammamaia]

if there's no comma, i'd use a hyphen... to me, using nothing doesn't look right and isn't right...

[Daedalus]

Tom Clancy, Vince Flynn, and Jack Higgins all use "Aye aye, sir".

It's said quickly, almost as though the two ayes are one word.

[NaCl]

This is one of those phrases where I would not fault a writer for either format. I think both read correctly and there is not much sense in making a big deal out of it. All I would do as a writer is to be consistent throughout the story.

[mammamaia]

and it might not be the writer's choice anyway, as many publishers impose their own house style on such stuff...