An emphatic negative. Accent on the last syllable, in each case.
1848. “Don’t the President live here?” ses I. “No, sir,” ses he. “He lives in the White House at the other eend of the Avenue. This is the Capitol whar Congress sets, but it aint in session now.”—W. T. Thompson, ‘Major Jones’s Sketches of Travel,’ p. 46 (Phila.).
1849. Master. Are the people [of Long Island] in a refined state of civilization? Boy. Far from it. They do n’t know the meaning of the word. Master. Are they a temperate people? Boy. No SIR-EE!—Knick Mag., xxxiv. 554 (Dec.).
1854. No Sir, said she,—that’s Pekin.—Boston Ev. Post, n.d.
[For fuller quotation see PEEK.]
1856. No Sir-ee! I’m down on crout like a nigger preacher is on the wices of white folks.—Knick. Mag., xlvii. 616 (June).
1856. Examiner (for admission to the bar): ‘When was the code of procedure adopted?’ Student: ‘In 1848.’ Examiner: ‘What object was it designed to effect?’ Student: ‘It was intended to simplify and abridge the practice, pleadings, and proceedings in the courts of this State.’ Examiner: ‘Has it effected that object?’ Student: ‘No, Sir—r—r! I do n’t think it has?’ Examiner: ‘Have you a certificate of good moral character?’ Student: ‘Yes, Sir; I have a tailor’s bill, which is receipted, in my pocket.’ Examiner: ‘You’ll pass!’—Id., xlvii. 544 (May).
1857. No Sir-ree had a pretty long run, and is not out of date quite yet.—Id., xlix. 86 (Jan.). [For fuller quotation see THAT’S SO.]
1857. Was I to stand by and hear Minnie talked to in that way, by any body? No Sir.—Id., l. 442 (Nov.).
1857. While hearing a case, the attorney stated that he believed one of the jurors was intoxicated. The judge, addressing the man alluded to, said:—“Sir, are you drunk?” The juror, straightening himself up, in a bold, half-defiant tone, replied, “No, sirree, bob!” “Well,” said the judge, “I fine you five dollars for the ree and ten for the bob.”—Baltimore Sun, March 30 (Bartlett).
1861. “Can I have any breakfast?” “No, sir-ree; it’s over half-an-hour ago.”—Russell, ‘My Diary, North and South,’ June 10.
