Terminology Debate

[Dale-Not-Chip]

When waiting, we are part of the line. To stand on line you would have to stand on someone in the line.

Now if they painted a big line on the ground it would be different.

 

[Jubilee]

I say in line, but I've heard on line used a lot

 

[Mickey_Man]

Person from central CT here, and for the most part I say standing "in line". I know many NYers and those in CT near NY do say on line, especially in use of waiting for tickets. However, given that I would be agreeing with a Red Sox fan if I say "in line", I am now considering a change over!! I always thought "on line" didn't sound right, but I am hearing that more and more lately.

 

[MenashaCorp]

This is an onteresting debate.

 

[mla1977]

Person from central CT here, and for the most part I say standing "in line". I know many NYers and those in CT near NY do say on line, especially in use of waiting for tickets. However, given that I would be agreeing with a Red Sox fan if I say "in line", I am now considering a change over!! I always thought "on line" didn't sound right, but I am hearing that more and more lately.

I believe it is all of the Mets fans that say "on line". Who would ever want to agree with them?

What part of Central CT for you?

 

[doconeill]

Born and raised in on the North Shore in eastern Massacusetts, and its always been IN line. Can't say I had ever heard of "on line" until I got my first modem.

And I had never heard of a "queue", or "queuing up", until one year I was at the Chester Zoo in England...

 

[Sapper383]

I thought your guys waited in queue over there. Has BBC America been lying to me all these years?

I think in the internet age the term online has become more applied to being on the Internet while inline is used for standing in a line. If you look down and are not standing on a painted line I guess you aren’t online though, are you?

You are right, nearly. We wait in a queue.

 

[neoDonald]

I've heard it both ways. I've also heard 'on accident' as opposed to 'by accident' from very well spoken folks.

 

[LovesThumper]

Like Mickey Man I too am from central Connecticut, a die hard Red Sox fan(so perhaps a Yankee fan has to change-lol) and wait in line also. I work with folks from the New York City area and they always say on line.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Yup...j/k

Where are you from in the finger lakes region? My wife and I grew up in Auburn. (and we both say "in" line )

I live just south of Ithaca - near Watkins Glen. And we talk kinda funny down here. But I'm originally from just north of NYC and we "upstaters" really TAWK funny.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I wait in line.

 

[drakethib]

online to me means the internet (but what do I know)

 

[MODisFan]

I'm an in-liner

 

[JeemaRee]

Here in Western PA we say "in" line but I try to throw in "queue" whenever possible. LOVE those Brits!!! And shouldn't it be "accidentally" instead of by accident or on accident? The world is preposition happy...

 

[MAGGIED]

Originally from Western NY.... lived in Erie, PA and Boston, MA and now Syracuse NY and it has always been IN LINE......

Wendy

Go Red Sox!!!

 

[DebºoºS]

I'm originally from eastern Long Island, NY and I say I'm waiting in line or I'm getting on the line and the line forms a que.

What about a person "gone missing"?

I say either "is missing" or "they're gone"!!!

 

[Michele]

Midwest girl here.....I say IN line. But I have heard ON line many times, I can't really remember where though. I always wondered if I was saying it wrong, but according to the results here I would say I'm in the majority.

 

[tinkbutt]

when ever I say queue my DBF tells me to stop trying to sound smart!

 

[SGB13]

To me it's always been 'in'line. If I heard 'on'line I would either look for the computer or the line on the ground to stand on.

 

[DisFhan]

I am in the "IN" line group. I am from NY and never heard of waiting ON line... I also use queue, but what do I know..