If you live in Michigan, you’ve probably heard someone say the word “ope” more than once. Linguists suggest that the term dates back to the very first European immigrants in the Midwest region but how. On this episode of On Hand, we go back to where we first learned about words and speak with a language expert about the origins of “ope” and why we use it.

GUESTS: 
Katie Howell, Kindergarten Teacher at Buchanan Elementary School, Grand Rapids Public Schools
Kindergarteners at Buchanan Elementary
Betsy Sneller, Linguist at Michigan State University 

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:

Online Submission Form

Call us: 734-764-7840

Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

If you live in Michigan, you&rsquo;ve probably heard someone say the word &ldquo;ope&rdquo; more than once. Linguists suggest that the term dates back to the very first European immigrants in the Midwest region but how. On this episode of&nbsp;On Hand, we go back to where we first learned about words and speak with a language expert about the origins of &ldquo;ope&rdquo; and why we use it.
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Katie Howell, Kindergarten Teacher at Buchanan Elementary School, Grand Rapids Public Schools</li>
<li>Kindergarteners at Buchanan Elementary</li>
<li>Betsy Sneller, Linguist at Michigan State University&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a>
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Ever wondered why we call ourselves “Michiganders”? Or why we say “pop” instead of “soda”? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That’s why we’re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.

To share a story or submit your questions, head to michiganpublic.org/onhand

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

Ever wondered why we call ourselves &ldquo;Michiganders&rdquo;? Or why we say &ldquo;pop&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;soda&rdquo;? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.
To share a story or submit your questions, head to <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand">michiganpublic.org/onhand</a>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganpublic.org/podfund