Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a German; also attrib.

1886

‘’Arry on Commercial Education’ in Punch 26 Sept. in P. Marks (2006) 123: The Boss tipped me the mitten next day, and young Yah-yah pops into my place. [Ibid.] 124: Wy, I calls that a reglar cave-in to the yah-yah and Pollyvoo lot.

2. the German language.

1886

‘’Arry on Commercial Education’ in Punch 26 Sept. in P. Marks (2006) 124: Jest because I’m not dab at the Yah-yah.