General
waiting on line
What does waiting on line mean?
The distinctively New York way to say you're in a queue — 'on line' rather than 'in line.'
"I've been waiting on line at the DMV for an hour."
Origin
NYC regional grammar; New York uniquely uses 'on line' where the rest of the U.S. says 'in line.'
Frequently asked questions
What does 'waiting on line' mean?
It's the New York way to say you're standing in a queue — 'on line' rather than 'in line.'
Why do New Yorkers say 'on line'?
It's a distinctive feature of NYC regional grammar; New York uniquely uses 'on line' where the rest of the U.S. says 'in line.'
Is 'on line' the same as being 'online'?
No — in this NYC usage it means physically standing in a queue, not being on the internet.
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