Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a pal, a chum, a companion; usu. as a term of address [Francis-Jackson, Official Dancehall Dict. (1995), defines W.I. use as ‘a female friend’ only].

1821–5		‘Bill Truck’ Man o’ War’s Man (1843) 24: She is quite a sky-rocket of an enemy – a complete Tartar, matey.
1846		Exeter Flying Post 8 Jan. 4/1: There’s twenty-on ’em in the guinea, ain’t there, Matey?
1859		H. Kingsley Recollections of G. Hamlyn (1891) 294: ‘Matey,’ says I, (you see I was familiar, he seemed such a jolly sort of bird).
1866		J. Greenwood A Little Ragamuffin 239: Cheer up, matey!
1878		Besant & Rice By Celia’s Arbour III 194: Good-night, matey.
1883		J. Greenwood Tag, Rag & Co. 112: Giving me a hearty, ‘What cheer, matey?’ beckoned me towards him.
1885		J.S. Borlase Blue Cap, the Bushranger 16/1: It’s my matey, Ab Sim.
1890		Music Hall & Theatre Rev. 4 Oct. 12/1: He’s my matey, I’m his pard, / Nightly we’re risking six months hard.
1895		The Bulletin 9 Feb. n.p.: Got a cigar in yer old clothes, matey? / Lor’ blue me if I’m not dead for a smoke.
1905		H.G. Wells Kipps (1952) 70: ‘You aren’t hurt, Matey?’ gasped the figure.
1914		R. Tressell Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (1955) 152: That’s just my opinion, matey.
1914		Chuckles 10 Jan. 1: ‘Cheer up, matey,’ chirrupped Ben.
1916		R. Service ‘Funk’ in Rhymes of a Red Cross Man 59: Don’t let your mateys know it— / You’re just sufferin’ from funk, funk, funk.
1922		Joyce Ulysses 404: Up to you, matey. Out with the oof.
1925		N. Lucas Autobiog. of a Thief 240: ‘When do you got out, matey?’ said the first convict.
1930		M. Allingham Mystery Mile (1982) 321: You sit down, matey, an’ ’ave a friendly game o’ cards.
1944		P. Kendall Dict. Service Sl. n.p.: A dime wouldn’t break you, would it, Matey?
1957		D. Niland Call Me When the Cross Turns Over (1958) 106: Listen, matey, how about you and me stepping out tomorrow night?
1961		H. Livings Stop it, Whoever You Are (1962) Act II: Stop mucking about, it’s home-time now, old maty.
1963		‘Nino Culotta’ Gone Fishin’ 163: ‘It is true the building trade is improving, Joe?’ ‘Yeah, she’s pickin’ up again, matey’.
1964		Orton Entertaining Mr Sloane Act II: I had a matie. What times we had.
1978		A. Burgess 1985 (1980) 149: Fuck you, matey.
1991		Osborne Devu Act I: Nary a card on the mat for me, matie.
1992		M. Coleman Fatty 231: ‘Matey, there’ll always be a place for you at Canterbury’.
1998		I. Welsh Filth 317: If you don’t have laws [...] then you certainly don’t have any order matey.
2001		M. Coles The Bible in Cockney 70: Now listen here, matey.
2011		S. Kelman Pigeon English 86: Sorry, matey. We need it.
2024		J. Meades Empty Wigs (t/s) 182: Sauve qui peut mateys!

2. (W.I.) a rival.

1995

Francis-Jackson Official Dancehall Dict. 33: 2. a rival: u. to banton yuh matey/to go one up on one’s rival.