General
please?
What does please? mean?
An interjection used in Cincinnati to mean 'excuse me?' or 'could you repeat that?'
"Please? I didn't catch what you said."
Origin
Cincinnati usage attributed to German 'bitte?' meaning both 'please' and 'pardon?'
Frequently asked questions
What does 'please?' mean in Cincinnati?
It means 'pardon?' or 'could you repeat that?' — you say it when you didn't hear or understand someone.
Why do Cincinnatians say 'please?' for 'pardon?'
It's attributed to the area's German heritage: the German word 'bitte?' serves as both 'please' and 'pardon me?', and the usage carried into local English.
Is it rude?
No, it's polite and completely normal in Cincinnati, though it can confuse outsiders who expect 'what?' or 'sorry?'
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