Etymology Journal ยท W
What can I do ya for?
Meaning
- A folksy, informal way of asking, How can I help you? It is used by service providers or friendly neighbors to offer assistance.
Friendly, service-oriented
Used in a sentence
- Step up to the counter! What can I do ya for?
- I saw you looking for tools. What can I do ya for?
- He popped his head into the office and said, What can I do ya for?
The backstory
The phrase is a contraction of What can I do for you. The ya variant is a common American colloquialism that adds a layer of casual warmth.
Heard in
Nationwide
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