Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Entertainment

A Non-Midwesterner's Guide To The Different Meanings Behind The Word 'Ope'

Yep, different situations call for different opes. Who would have thunk it.

Rachel Mount

Jan 31, 2019

University of Michigan

602

A Non-Midwesterner's Guide To The Different Meanings Behind The Word 'Ope'

Rachel Mount

If you go to school or have moved to the midwest, there's a part of the Midwestern culture that's somewhat unspoken. There are lots of jokes about how much we say ope, and well, that's true. Morning, day and night I'll give at least two or three of them, just because it's such a flexible word.

The trick is, not all opes are equal, and you don't want to be the person that thinks a *just bumped into you* ope is the same as a *just saw something on the news* ope.

1. We're trying to squeeze by you

This ope will often come paired with "let me squeeze by you there!" It's one of the lightest tones, and is often almost inaudible.

2. We tried to slow down, but still bumped into you

When this happens, the ope that often comes out is super quiet because we feel bad. Many times, our head will be down but we'll glance up in a puppy like fashion to make sure you're not mad.

3. We dropped something

An "OPE!" would be for a phone, or if we dropped something in the middle of a busy path. A softer ope is for things that aren't of such character, like a pencil or keys.

4. If we said something we weren't supposed to

When we sputter this sarcastic ope, it'll normally be paired with a quick crinkle of our nose too.

5. When we're singing songs with the word "oh" in them

The classic example is 98% of the midwest population thought Eminem's lyrics went "ope, there goes gravity." And to be honest, it should.

6. When you feel bad for someone

Especially in the wintertime, if I watch someone slip on ice, I let out an amused but worried "ope."

7. If we find something exciting at a store

Me at the grocery store: *searching aimlessly, and I spot my favorite ice cream* "OPE!!!"

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

University of Dayton

1068

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less

library

Student Life

26 Things to Thank Our Roommates For

Who knows where we would be without them.

Michigan State University

738

StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less

roommates

Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Butler University

6842

Disney magic kingdom castle on new years

StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less

disney movies

Recommended for you

A Non-Midwesterner's Guide To The Different Meanings Behind The Word 'Ope'

Yep, different situations call for different opes. Who would have thunk it.

1. We're trying to squeeze by you

2. We tried to slow down, but still bumped into you

3. We dropped something

4. If we said something we weren't supposed to

5. When we're singing songs with the word "oh" in them

6. When you feel bad for someone

7. If we find something exciting at a store

Subscribe to our Newsletter

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

Pajamas

Candles

Subscribe to our
Newsletter

Hairbands, Clips, and Bobby-pins