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Etymology Journal ยท O

Ope, lemme squeeze past ya

Meaning

A variation of the classic Midwestern aisle-maneuver. This phrase specifically addresses the physical reality of limited floor space in crowded areas.

Friendly, conciliatory

Used in a sentence

  • Ope, lemme squeeze past ya to get to the freezer door.
  • Ope, lemme squeeze past ya, thanks so much.
  • Ope, lemme squeeze past ya, you are standing right by the good apples.

The backstory

Rooted in the extreme politeness of the Midwest where people try to minimize their impact on others. It is likely a combination of standard apologies and regional linguistic habits.

Heard in

Midwest

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