“Ope” is a common exclamation in Minnesota as an expression of a very Midwestern accent. The meme example is “Ope, lemme sneak right past ya there and grab the ranch”.
That part was obvious but I’ve even been to Minnesota and love the movie and show Fargo and didn’t ever catch ope but after reading the descriptions I think I’ve even said it a few times unknowingly
I don’t get the ope part
“Ope” is a common exclamation in Minnesota as an expression of a very Midwestern accent. The meme example is “Ope, lemme sneak right past ya there and grab the ranch”.
To be met with “oh yah, you betcha”
Oh god, this is giving me Fargo flashbacks, I couldn’t handle the accent
Not just Minnesota, but a lot of the upper Midwest. Wisconsin, northern Illinois, probably northern Iowa and parts of Michigan, too.
We ope in Nebraska, it goes deeper than you think
Ohio too
I Ope in WY (born and raised), but have linage from ND, I’m assuming that’s where my Ope came from.
Oh yah, North DaKOHta.
Hoosier here. We “ope” in Indiana as well.
Like an abbreviation of “Oops”?
No. It is very specifically pronounced “Ope”, like “hope” without the “h”, and it has it’s own distinct meaning.
The thing I’ll say is closer to “‘up” And I use it more like “oh no! You caught me inconveniencing you. I’m so embarrassed 🫣”
Definitely seems related though…
I’m a transplant to the Midwest, and I catch myself using it as a “get someone’s attention” noise sometimes.
The more I think about it the more I think it’s actually something I say, just not consciously. And I’m from the Mid-Atlantic; not the Midwest.
Also found this article that hypothesizes a few origins including, yes, a shortening of “oops!”
In Minnesota at least, it’s more of an expression noise like “oh!” in terms of use and definition.
TIL
https://www2.startribune.com/sorry-but-why-do-minnesotans-say-ope-all-the-time/511630701/
On top of the other comments, it’s a play on the Obama “Hope” poster.
That part was obvious but I’ve even been to Minnesota and love the movie and show Fargo and didn’t ever catch ope but after reading the descriptions I think I’ve even said it a few times unknowingly