The Archive

Etymology Journal · H

Help yourself

Meaning

This is the universal host greeting that gives guests permission to take food, drink, or supplies without needing to ask again. It is the hallmark of Southern hospitality.

Welcoming, generous

Used in a sentence

  • The snacks are on the counter, please help yourself.
  • We have plenty of coffee, help yourself to a cup.
  • Do not wait for me to serve you, please just help yourself.

The backstory

This is an English idiom that has been in common use for centuries. It is a polite way to reduce the formality of a gathering and make guests feel truly at home.

Heard in

Nationwide

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