Outsiders are baffled by these sayings that people from the Midwest don’t think twice about.
You think you understand English—until you have a conversation with a Midwesterner. One minute, you’re nodding along, and the next, you’re completely lost, wondering if they’re talking about the weather or offering you food.
The Midwest has a way of turning everyday phrases into a secret code that only locals seem to understand. If you’ve ever been baffled by a Midwestern conversation, you’re not alone. Here are 13 phrases Midwesterners say daily that leave everyone else totally confused.
1. Midwesterners don’t just say “oops”—they say “ope!”
If you’ve ever accidentally bumped into someone, dropped something, or needed to squeeze past someone in a grocery aisle, chances are you’ve heard “ope!” It’s the universal Midwestern expression for mild surprise, minor inconvenience, and just about any awkward situation. It’s not quite “oops,” not quite “uh-oh,” but somewhere in between. The best part? It just slips out before you even realize it. Ope—there it goes again!
2. When something is exhausting or overwhelming, Midwesterners say “uff da.”
This little Norwegian gem is the ultimate expression of exasperation. Spent an hour shoveling the driveway? Uff da. Ate too much at the local fish fry? Big uff da. It’s a verbal sigh, covering everything from exhaustion to disbelief. And while outsiders might not fully understand its depth, Midwesterners know that a well-placed “uff da” can sum up an entire day’s worth of struggles. It’s practically a survival tool during brutal winters.
3. Instead of asking “Did you eat?” Midwesterners just say “jeet?”
Why waste time on full words when you can squeeze an entire sentence into one sound? “Jeet?” is the unofficial greeting of Midwestern hospitality, often followed by “cuz I got some bars” (translation: “I have granola bars if you’re hungry”). If you answer “no,” don’t be surprised when food magically appears in front of you. Because in the Midwest, eating isn’t optional—it’s an unspoken rule.
4. Instead of “excuse me,” Midwesterners say “lemme sneak past ya.”
There’s no such thing as simply walking around someone in the Midwest. If you’re blocking a Midwesterner’s path, they’ll hit you with a polite, almost apologetic, “lemme sneak past ya” as they shimmy by. The best part? They say it even when it’s clear you’re the one in their way. Midwesterners will practically apologize for existing, making even the smallest movement feel like a coordinated dance.
5. Midwesterners don’t say “no problem”—they say “oh, it’s no big deal.”
Helped someone move a couch? Gave them a ride to the airport at 4 AM? Fixed their tractor in the dead of winter? In the Midwest, no matter how big the favor, the response is always the same: “Oh, it’s no big deal.” Midwesterners are allergic to accepting praise, so they downplay every good deed as if it was nothing. If someone ever admits that something was actually an inconvenience, you know it was serious.
6. Instead of “I’m cold,” Midwesterners say “it’s a bit chilly out.”
Midwesterners could be standing outside in negative temperatures, wrapped in 14 layers of clothing, and still say, “Eh, it’s a bit chilly out.” Anything short of frostbite is just a mild inconvenience. It’s as if acknowledging the cold would somehow make it worse, so instead, they act like subzero temperatures are just a brisk autumn day. Meanwhile, non-Midwesterners are shivering uncontrollably, wondering if their eyelashes just froze together.
7. When Midwesterners agree with you, they say “you betcha!”
This cheerful phrase is the Midwest’s enthusiastic way of saying “absolutely” or “of course.” Need help changing a tire? You betcha. Want some more cheese curds? You betcha. It’s friendly, warm, and just folksy enough to make you feel like you’re in a ‘50s sitcom. If someone says it with extra enthusiasm, consider yourself officially adopted into Midwestern culture.
8. Midwesterners don’t say “goodbye”—they say “welp, better get going.”
The Midwestern goodbye is a legendary event, and it starts with “welp, better get going.” This simple phrase signals the beginning of an exit that will take at least another 20 minutes. First comes the standing conversation at the door, then the slow walk to the car, and finally, the window-down, last-minute chat before actually driving away. Midwesterners don’t just leave—they ease their way out like a slow-motion fade.
9. Instead of “turn on the lights,” Midwesterners say “flip the lights on.”
It’s a tiny quirk, but Midwesterners don’t turn things on—they flip them. Flip the lights on, flip the fan off, flip the channel. It’s like everything in the Midwest operates on a literal switch. No one knows exactly why this phrase is so deeply ingrained, but if you ever ask someone to “flip on the oven,” a Midwesterner won’t even blink.
10. Midwesterners don’t say “it’s raining”—they say “it’s really coming down out there.”
If a Midwesterner uses this phrase, you’d better grab an umbrella (or a canoe). “It’s really coming down out there” covers everything from a mild drizzle to a full-blown storm. Strangely, if an actual torrential downpour is happening, they might just say, “Eh, it’s a little wet out.” It’s as if Midwesterners refuse to acknowledge extreme weather—even when it’s right in front of them.
11. When Midwesterners are unsure, they say “I suppose.”
This is the Midwest’s way of expressing hesitant agreement. It’s not quite a yes, but it’s definitely not a no. If someone asks, “You wanna head out soon?” and the response is “I suppose,” that means they could be convinced either way. It’s the perfect phrase for when you don’t want to commit but also don’t want to be rude. Classic Midwestern indecision at its finest.
12. Instead of “I don’t want to be rude,” Midwesterners say “not to be mean, but…”
The moment you hear a Midwesterner say this, brace yourself. They’re about to deliver the nicest, most passive-aggressive insult imaginable. “Not to be mean, but…” is often followed by something like, “You look really tired today!” or “That’s an interesting haircut choice.” They don’t mean to offend, but they also can’t help themselves. It’s like their politeness clashes with their honesty, creating the ultimate Midwest contradiction.
13. When Midwesterners don’t want to commit, they say “we’ll see.”
If you ask a Midwesterner to make plans and they respond with “we’ll see,” just assume it’s a no. This phrase is the verbal equivalent of leaving someone on “read.” It gives the illusion of possibility while allowing a graceful escape from any obligation. It’s not a lie, but it’s also not the truth. A Midwest classic.