From Middle English plesen, plaisen, borrowed from Old French plaise, conjugated form of plaisir or plaire, from Latin placeō (“to please, to seem good”), from the Proto-Indo-European *pleHk- (“pleasingness, permission”). In this sense, displaced native Old English līcian, whence Modern English like.
Meanings
(ambitransitive) To make happy or satisfy; to give pleasure to.
How can an operator be, at the same time, top for overall satisfaction and bottom for value for money? I turned to Anthony Smith for the answer, leaning on his 20 years running Transport Focus and its predecessors.
It's commuters, he explained. "You can't please commuters, you can only not displease them." 2024 October 2, Philip Haigh, “Different types of passengers require different types of fare”, in RAIL, number 1019, page 54:
Her presentation pleased the executives.
I'm pleased to see you've been behaving yourself.
And so it had always pleased M. Stutz to expect great things from the dark young man whom he had first seen in his early twenties ; and his expectations had waxed rather than waned on hearing the faint bruit of the love of Ivor and Virginia—for Virginia, M. Stutz thought, would bring fineness to a point in a man like Ivor Marlay, […]. 1922, Michael Arlen, “Ep./1/1”, in “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days:
World tour, media whore / "Please the Press in Belgium!" / This was your life 1987, “Paint a Vulgar Picture”, in Morrissey (lyrics), Johnny Marr (music), Strangeways, Here We Come, performed by The Smiths:
Our new range of organic foods is sure to please.
(ergative, intransitive) To desire; to will; to be pleased by.
Just do as you please.
"I don't say it and I don't think it," responded Sancho. "It's their affair and let them eat it with their bread; whether or not they were lovers, they've already made their accounting with God; I tend to my vines, it's their business, not mine; I don't stick my nose in; if you buy and lie, your purse wants to know why. Besides, naked I was born, and naked I'll die: I don't lose or gain a thing; whatever they were, it's all the same to me. And many folks think there's bacon when there's not even a hook to hang it on. But who can put doors on a field? Let them say what they please, I don't care. Part 1 published in 1605, Part 2 in 1615, translated in 2003, Miguel de Cervantes and translated by Edith Grossman, Don Quixote, pages 191-192:
“Will any gentleman please to get outside and make room for a lady?” 1870 July 16, “Our Idler’s Gossip”, in Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Chronicle, volume XXVII, number 708, new series, [Sydney, N.S.W.], page [3], column 2:
He doesn't think, he just says whatever he pleases.
Whatsoeuer the Lord pleased, that did he in heauen and in earth: in the Seas, and all deepe places. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 135:6:
th เอาใจ (to make happy or satisfy) · mk задово́лува (to make happy or satisfy) · hu szeretne (to desire; to will; to be pleased by) · no være til lags (to make happy or satisfy) · pl sprawiać przyjemność (to make happy or satisfy) · ru удовлетворя́ть (to make happy or satisfy) · ase OpenB@Chest-PalmBack RoundSurface (to make happy or satisfy) · ro satisface (to make happy or satisfy) · sh zadovoljiti (to make happy or satisfy) · nl bevallen (to make happy or satisfy) · cy plesio (to make happy or satisfy) · ro plăcea (to make happy or satisfy) · sv tilltala (to make happy or satisfy) · pl zadowolić (to make happy or satisfy) · ang līcian (to make happy or satisfy) · ia placer (to make happy or satisfy) · nah yolceuiz (to make happy or satisfy) · hu kedvében jár (to make happy or satisfy) · ru угожда́ть (to make happy or satisfy) · cmn 討好 /讨好 (to make happy or satisfy) · uk годи́ти (to make happy or satisfy) · ro încânta (to make happy or satisfy) · no behage (to make happy or satisfy) · gl agradar (to make happy or satisfy) · af tevrede stel (to make happy or satisfy) · fur apajâ (to make happy or satisfy) · pl zadowalać (to make happy or satisfy) · pl sprawić przyjemność (to make happy or satisfy) · fi mieliä (to desire; to will; to be pleased by) · hu akar (to desire; to will; to be pleased by) · la placēre (to make happy or satisfy) · es darle gusto (to make happy or satisfy) · hi पसंद करना (to make happy or satisfy) · hu kedvére tesz (to make happy or satisfy) · gd riaraich (to make happy or satisfy) · io plezar (to make happy or satisfy) · sa प्रीणाति (to make happy or satisfy) · bg доставям удоволствие (to make happy or satisfy) · hu kér (to desire; to will; to be pleased by) · ca plaure (to make happy or satisfy) · ru ра́довать (to make happy or satisfy) · mt għoġob (to make happy or satisfy) · pl cieszyć (to make happy or satisfy) · is gleða (to make happy or satisfy) · grc ἁνδάνω (to make happy or satisfy) · ru те́шить (to make happy or satisfy) · la iuvāre (to make happy or satisfy) · cs uspokojit (to make happy or satisfy) · tr sevindirmek (to make happy or satisfy) · dlm placar (to make happy or satisfy) · no tiltale (to make happy or satisfy) · fur plasê a (to make happy or satisfy) · ru нра́виться (to make happy or satisfy) · dsb spódobaś se (to make happy or satisfy) · nds-de behagen (to make happy or satisfy) · es agradarle (to make happy or satisfy) · fj yalo vinaka (to make happy or satisfy) · es gustarle (to make happy or satisfy) · pl ucieszyć (to make happy or satisfy) · el ευχαριστώ (to make happy or satisfy) · pt aprazer (to make happy or satisfy) · hy դուր գալ (to make happy or satisfy) · ko 기쁘게 하다 (to make happy or satisfy) · cs vyhovět (to make happy or satisfy) · el δίνω ευχαρίστηση (to make happy or satisfy) · hu kedve tartja (to desire; to will; to be pleased by) · ca agradar (to make happy or satisfy) · sv behaga (to make happy or satisfy) · sv ställa till freds (to make happy or satisfy) · dsb zespódobaś se (to make happy or satisfy) · hu kíván (to desire; to will; to be pleased by) · de belieben (to desire; to will; to be pleased by) · el τέρπω (to make happy or satisfy) · ar أَرْضَى (to make happy or satisfy) · eo plaĉi (to make happy or satisfy) · bn খুশি করা (to make happy or satisfy) · de gefallen (to make happy or satisfy) · ca complaure (to make happy or satisfy) · fr plaire (to make happy or satisfy) · fur contentâ (to make happy or satisfy) · gd còrd ri (to make happy or satisfy) · zdj uridhisha (to make happy or satisfy) · cs udělat radost (to make happy or satisfy) · nrf pliaithe (to make happy or satisfy) · it piacere (to make happy or satisfy) · pl dogodzić (to make happy or satisfy) · hu örömet szerez (to make happy or satisfy) · fi haluta (to desire; to will; to be pleased by) · pt agradar (to make happy or satisfy) · gd sàsaich (to make happy or satisfy) · ro mulțumi (to make happy or satisfy) · hu kedvére van (to make happy or satisfy) · es complacer (to make happy or satisfy) · ota اقناع ایتمك (to make happy or satisfy) · fo gleða (to make happy or satisfy) · pl dogadzać (to make happy or satisfy) · oc agradar (to make happy or satisfy) · ota تطمین ایتمك (to make happy or satisfy) · ja 喜ばす (to make happy or satisfy) · hy գոհացնել (to make happy or satisfy) · sv glädja (to make happy or satisfy) · ko 바라다 (to desire; to will; to be pleased by) · fi lystätä (to desire; to will; to be pleased by) · wa plaire (to make happy or satisfy) · ru доставля́ть удово́льствие (to make happy or satisfy) · ga sásaigh (to make happy or satisfy) · grc ἀρέσκω (to make happy or satisfy) · mk бенди́сува (to make happy or satisfy) · mk до́паѓа (to make happy or satisfy) · de rechtmachen (to make happy or satisfy) · sv tillfredsställa (to make happy or satisfy) · cy bodloni (to make happy or satisfy) · ne रिझाउनु (to make happy or satisfy) · non gleðja (to make happy or satisfy) · sl zadovoljiti (to make happy or satisfy) · ar أَعْجَبَ (to make happy or satisfy) · fi miellyttää (to make happy or satisfy) · sh ugoditi (to make happy or satisfy) · nl behagen (to make happy or satisfy) · uk догоджа́ти (to make happy or satisfy) · es placer (to make happy or satisfy) · txb plāk- (to make happy or satisfy) · it accontentare (to make happy or satisfy) · pt prazer (to make happy or satisfy) · sv ställa till frids (to make happy or satisfy) · cs potěšit (to make happy or satisfy)
Short for if you please, an intransitive, ergative form taken from if it please you which is a calque of French s'il vous plaît, which replaced pray. If it please you is a present subjunctive form, but most current uses of please are not parsed that way.
Meanings
(not-comparable) Used to make a polite request.
Would you please sign this form?
May I take your order, please?
Could you tell me the time, please?
(Michael): Yuri Andropov! What are you doing in my closet of anxieties again?
(Yuri): Uh, oh. This is not 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C.?
(Michael): Does it look like it? You're in the wrong nightmare again!!
(Yuri): ★@#*!?! Soviet maps ... worth nothing! Give, please, directions to White House. 1983 July 10, Berkeley Breathed, Bloom County, spoken by Yuri Andropov:
Please, pass the bread.
Q: Should I call him to confirm? A: Please do.
LIST OF LETTERS remaining in the Post-Office at New Orleans, September 19, 1857. Persons calling will please mention that they are advertised. 1857 September 20, “List of Letters”, in Sunday Times, volume I, number 140, New Orleans, La.: Times Printing Association, →OCLC, page 566, column 2:
Short for if you please, an intransitive, ergative form taken from if it please you which is a calque of French s'il vous plaît, which replaced pray. If it please you is a present subjunctive form, but most current uses of please are not parsed that way.
Meanings
(often, with yes) Used as an affirmative to an offer.
Near-synonym: thank you
May I help you? —(Yes,) please.
D'you mind if I open the window? —Please do.
An expression of annoyance, impatience, or exasperation.
Near-synonyms: enough, enough already, that's enough, no more, cut it out, knock it off, shut up, STFU
So it's safe to let a 10-year-old use a gun? Please.
Please with all the ads, I just want to watch the movie.
Oh, please, do we have to hear that again?
Please with that damn harmonica!
So now I have to go back there a third time? Please!
hu hogyne (affirmative to an offer) · fr s'il te plaît (interjection to make a polite request) · ga le do thoil (interjection to make a polite request) · lo ຊ່ອຍ (interjection to make a polite request) · fa-ira خواهِش میکُنَم (interjection to make a polite request) · ps لطفا (interjection to make a polite request) · ab бхаҵкы́ (interjection to make a polite request) · ceb palihog (interjection to make a polite request) · kk тәңір жарылқасын (interjection to make a polite request) · syc ܢܝ (interjection to make a polite request) · ur مِہْرْبانی کِیجِیے (interjection to make a polite request) · es por favor (interjection to make a polite request) · gd (s.) mas e do thoil e (interjection to make a polite request) · grc δέομαι (interjection to make a polite request) · fr allez (expression of annoyance or impatience) · pt faça favor (interjection to make a polite request) · hu kérem (interjection to make a polite request) · nb vennligst (interjection to make a polite request) · ur پْلِیز (interjection to make a polite request) · ky сурайм (interjection to make a polite request) · ne कृपया (interjection to make a polite request) · tyv көр (interjection to make a polite request) · th กรุณา (interjection to make a polite request) · af kanalla (affirmative to an offer) · grc αἰτῶ (interjection to make a polite request) · lo ກະຣຸນາ (interjection to make a polite request) · syc ܒܒܥܘ (interjection to make a polite request) · sv tack (interjection to make a polite request) · vi thôi mà (expression of annoyance or impatience) · mt jekk jogħġbok (interjection to make a polite request) · ckb توخوا (interjection to make a polite request) · fa-ira لُطْفاً (interjection to make a polite request) · ab шәхаҵкы (interjection to make a polite request) · ar أَرْجُوك (interjection to make a polite request) · zdj namtafadhwali (interjection to make a polite request) · aii ܢܹܐ (interjection to make a polite request) · es porfi (interjection to make a polite request) · grc παρακαλῶ (interjection to make a polite request) · mn -ээрэй (interjection to make a polite request) · is gerðu svo vel (interjection to make a polite request) · ale puzaalusti (interjection to make a polite request) · hu legyen szíves (interjection to make a polite request) · prs خَواهِش میکُنَم (interjection to make a polite request) · bhh marhamat (interjection to make a polite request) · fi ole hyvä (interjection to make a polite request) · khb ᦌᦾᧈ (interjection to make a polite request) · ur بَراہِ کَرَم (interjection to make a polite request) · hi कृपा करके (interjection to make a polite request) · ar لُطْفًا (interjection to make a polite request) · ar رَجَاءً (interjection to make a polite request) · la quaesō (interjection to make a polite request) · is plís (interjection to make a polite request) · eu mesedez (interjection to make a polite request) · ja ...ください (interjection to make a polite request) · ary الله يتوب عليك (interjection to make a polite request) · cs prosím (interjection to make a polite request) · grc ἂν βούλῃ (interjection to make a polite request) · ase OpenB@Chest-PalmBack RoundSurface (interjection to make a polite request) · zdj tafadhwali (interjection to make a polite request) · unm ksi (interjection to make a polite request) · cop ⲁⲣⲓϩ̀ⲙⲟⲧ (interjection to make a polite request) · lou tanpri (interjection to make a polite request) · ab ухаҵкы́ (interjection to make a polite request) · fi olkaa hyvä (interjection to make a polite request) · tl pakiusap (interjection to make a polite request) · nl alsjeblieft (interjection to make a polite request) · ug مەرھەمەت (interjection to make a polite request) · cy os gwelwch yn dda (interjection to make a polite request) · ary الله يخليلك الميمة (interjection to make a polite request) · ka თუ შეიძლება (interjection to make a polite request) · vi xin (interjection to make a polite request) · mhn pitte (interjection to make a polite request) · av дала кьерийин (interjection to make a polite request) · fi kiitos (interjection to make a polite request) · gd (s.) le do thoil (interjection to make a polite request) · pt por favor (interjection to make a polite request) · pt faça-me o favor (expression of annoyance or impatience) · de bitte (affirmative to an offer) · he בְּבַקָּשָׁה (interjection to make a polite request) · nl alstublieft (interjection to make a polite request) · sv snälla (expression of annoyance or impatience) · de gerne (affirmative to an offer) · fi pliis (expression of annoyance or impatience) · uz илтимос (interjection to make a polite request) · ca per favor (interjection to make a polite request) · vls allez (expression of annoyance or impatience) · br mar plij (interjection to make a polite request) · ht tanpri (interjection to make a polite request) · izh olkaa hyvät (interjection to make a polite request) · hu kérlek (interjection to make a polite request) · es favor de (interjection to make a polite request) · ca si us plau (interjection to make a polite request) · ru бу́дь добра́ (interjection to make a polite request) · pl błagam cię (expression of annoyance or impatience) · wa s' i vs plait (interjection to make a polite request) · af asseblief (interjection to make a polite request) · os табуафси (interjection to make a polite request) · ak mepa wo kyɛw (interjection to make a polite request) · sw tafadhali (interjection to make a polite request) · kk мархабат (interjection to make a polite request) · haw e ʻoluʻolu (interjection to make a polite request) · ur ذَرا (interjection to make a polite request) · grt ka·sapae (interjection to make a polite request) · se leagẹ buorrẹ (interjection to make a polite request) · uk прошу́ (interjection to make a polite request) · ka გთხოვთ (interjection to make a polite request) · pl proszę cię (expression of annoyance or impatience) · ckb بە خێری خۆتان (interjection to make a polite request) · ur اَزْراہِ لُطْف و کَرَم (interjection to make a polite request) · mk мо́лам (interjection to make a polite request) · lo ກະລຸນາ (interjection to make a polite request) · ur ذَرَہ (interjection to make a polite request) · ms sila (interjection to make a polite request) · el παρακαλώ (interjection to make a polite request) · ur بَراہِ مِہْرْبانی (interjection to make a polite request) · izh oo hyvä (interjection to make a polite request) · is vinsamlega (interjection to make a polite request) · bn প্লীজ (interjection to make a polite request) · ur اَز راہِ کَرَم (interjection to make a polite request) · my ပါ (interjection to make a polite request) · cmn 請 /请 (interjection to make a polite request) · pl błagam (expression of annoyance or impatience) · tr lütfen (interjection to make a polite request) · it per piacere (expression of annoyance or impatience) · km អញ្ជើញ (interjection to make a polite request) · ro te rog (interjection to make a polite request) · be калі́ ла́ска (interjection to make a polite request) · la amābō te (interjection to make a polite request) · bn প্লিজ (interjection to make a polite request) · fi kyllä kiitos (affirmative to an offer) · uz iltimos (interjection to make a polite request) · he אָנָּא (interjection to make a polite request) · he נָא (interjection to make a polite request) · gd le ur toil (interjection to make a polite request) · sq të lutem (interjection to make a polite request) · grc ἐρωτῶ (interjection to make a polite request) · es porfis (interjection to make a polite request) · es porfa (interjection to make a polite request) · ru прошу́ (interjection to make a polite request) · af asseblief (affirmative to an offer) · hu (nagyon/igazán) megköszönném (affirmative to an offer) · nb vær så snill (expression of annoyance or impatience) · eu arren (interjection to make a polite request) · nl a.u.b. (interjection to make a polite request) · ur مِہْرْبانی کَر کے (interjection to make a polite request) · ain ワ エンコレ (interjection to make a polite request) · hi मेहरबानी करके (interjection to make a polite request) · sv snälla (interjection to make a polite request) · acw لَو سَمَحْت (interjection to make a polite request) · prs لُطْفاً (interjection to make a polite request) · fi kiitos (affirmative to an offer) · kmr ji kerema xwe (interjection to make a polite request) · ms tolong (interjection to make a polite request) · lo ໂປຣດ (interjection to make a polite request) · da vær så venlig (interjection to make a polite request) · kmr kerem ke (interjection to make a polite request) · da tak (interjection to make a polite request) · my ကျေးဇူးပြု၍ (interjection to make a polite request) · ne कृपा गरेर (interjection to make a polite request) · io pliz (interjection to make a polite request) · ru бу́дьте добры́ (interjection to make a polite request) · yue 唔該 /唔该 (interjection to make a polite request) · ur بَرائے مِہْرْبانی (interjection to make a polite request) · ada i kpa mo pɛ (interjection to make a polite request) · ko 제발 (interjection to make a polite request) · oc se te plai (interjection to make a polite request) · sh мо̀лим (interjection to make a polite request) · dng чин (interjection to make a polite request) · ary الله يرحم يماك (interjection to make a polite request) · bg мо́ля (interjection to make a polite request) · ru пожа́луйста (interjection to make a polite request) · tr zahmet olmazsa (interjection to make a polite request) · ain yan (interjection to make a polite request) · lv lūdzu (interjection to make a polite request) · lou sivouplé (interjection to make a polite request) · nl a.j.b. (interjection to make a polite request) · fa-ira مَرْحَمَت (interjection to make a polite request) · ky сизден өтүнөм (interjection to make a polite request) · lt prašau (interjection to make a polite request) · sk prosím (interjection to make a polite request) · az lütfən (interjection to make a polite request) · sv vänligen (interjection to make a polite request) · sv var så god (interjection to make a polite request) · mk ви се мо́лам (expression of annoyance or impatience) · km សូម (interjection to make a polite request) · fr prière de (interjection to make a polite request) · is takk (interjection to make a polite request) · vi trời ơi (expression of annoyance or impatience) · hi कृपया (interjection to make a polite request) · vls alstublieft (interjection to make a polite request) · ht souple (interjection to make a polite request) · ast por favor (interjection to make a polite request) · lij pe piâxéi (interjection to make a polite request) · kmr bi xêra xwe (interjection to make a polite request) · ro vă rog (interjection to make a polite request) · bhh baxavūd (interjection to make a polite request) · hu légy szíves (interjection to make a polite request) · prs مِهْرَبَانِی (interjection to make a polite request) · pt se faz favor (interjection to make a polite request) · ajp لَو سَمَحْت (interjection to make a polite request) · fj yalo vinaka (interjection to make a polite request) · be прашу́ (interjection to make a polite request) · tr iltimas (interjection to make a polite request) · hu köszönettel venném (affirmative to an offer) · de bitte (expression of annoyance or impatience) · frp se vos plét (interjection to make a polite request) · bg мо́ля (affirmative to an offer) · cmn 拜託 /拜托 (interjection to make a polite request) · ur لُطْفاً (interjection to make a polite request) · th โปรด (interjection to make a polite request) · ur مِہْرْبانی فَرْمائیے (interjection to make a polite request) · sl prosim (interjection to make a polite request) · id kumohon (interjection to make a polite request) · pcm abeg (interjection to make a polite request) · pl proszę (interjection to make a polite request) · id tolong (interjection to make a polite request) · mzs fazê favôr (interjection to make a polite request) · az sənə zəhmət (interjection to make a polite request) · ia si il te place (interjection to make a polite request) · it prego (affirmative to an offer) · ru бу́дь добр (interjection to make a polite request) · ur اَزْراہِ نَوازِش (interjection to make a polite request) · oc se vos plai (interjection to make a polite request) · ja どうぞ (interjection to make a polite request) · gl por favor (interjection to make a polite request) · pl poprosiłbym (interjection to make a polite request) · la sīs (interjection to make a polite request) · fa-ira بیزَحْمَت (interjection to make a polite request) · tk haýyş (interjection to make a polite request) · sh mòlim (interjection to make a polite request) · hu köszönettel veszem (affirmative to an offer) · yi ביטע (interjection to make a polite request) · af asseblief tog (expression of annoyance or impatience) · nl gelieve (interjection to make a polite request) · ce девзина хаза хета (interjection to make a polite request) · it per favore (interjection to make a polite request) · et palun (interjection to make a polite request) · fr veuillez (interjection to make a polite request) · af kanalla (interjection to make a polite request) · th ช่วย (interjection to make a polite request) · eu faborez (interjection to make a polite request) · pau adang (interjection to make a polite request) · ar لَو سَمَحْت (interjection to make a polite request) · ja お願いします (interjection to make a polite request) · uk будь ла́ска (interjection to make a polite request) · ru плиз (interjection to make a polite request) · sq ju lutem (interjection to make a polite request) · io me pregas (interjection to make a polite request) · fi ole kiltti (interjection to make a polite request) · ary عافاك (interjection to make a polite request) · af asseblief (expression of annoyance or impatience) · fi mieluusti (affirmative to an offer) · ps مهرباني وکړئ (interjection to make a polite request) · fr s'il vous plaît (interjection to make a polite request) · kw mar pleg (interjection to make a polite request) · dsb pšosym (interjection to make a polite request) · lb wann ech gelift (interjection to make a polite request) · az zəhmət olmasa (interjection to make a polite request) · xal буйн болтха (interjection to make a polite request) · lou sitoplé (interjection to make a polite request) · tpi plis (interjection to make a polite request) · it per piacere (interjection to make a polite request) · et palume (interjection to make a polite request) · nrf s'î' t'pliaît (interjection to make a polite request) · is með leyfi (interjection to make a polite request) · fi oikein mielellään (affirmative to an offer) · eu otoi (interjection to make a polite request) · la sōdēs (interjection to make a polite request) · nn ver så snill (interjection to make a polite request) · fy asjebleaft (interjection to make a polite request) · lo ຊ່ວຍ (interjection to make a polite request) · az sizə zəhmət (interjection to make a polite request) · mk ти се мо́лам (expression of annoyance or impatience) · uz marhamat (interjection to make a polite request) · la si me amas (interjection to make a polite request) · is gerðu það (interjection to make a polite request) · nb vær så snill (interjection to make a polite request) · ur اَزْراہِ مِہْرْبانی (interjection to make a polite request) · ur مِہْرْبانی فَرْما کَر (interjection to make a polite request) · hi प्लीज़ (interjection to make a polite request) · fr pitié (expression of annoyance or impatience) · gd mas e ur toil e (interjection to make a polite request) · sm fa'amolemole (interjection to make a polite request) · aii ܒܒ݂ܵܥܘܼ (interjection to make a polite request) · ko ~ 주세요 (interjection to make a polite request) · tg лутфан (interjection to make a polite request) · id minta tolong (interjection to make a polite request) · acw لَو سَمَحْتِي (interjection to make a polite request) · mn -оорой (interjection to make a polite request) · hil palihog (interjection to make a polite request) · da gerne (interjection to make a polite request) · fi nyt (expression of annoyance or impatience) · tg марҳамат (interjection to make a polite request) · vi vui lòng (interjection to make a polite request) · mzs fazê favô (interjection to make a polite request) · egy snb.t ꜥnḫ.t (interjection to make a polite request) · ga más é do thoil é (interjection to make a polite request) · hy խնդրեմ (interjection to make a polite request) · yue 請 /请 (interjection to make a polite request) · io voluntez (interjection to make a polite request) · ta தயவு செய்து (interjection to make a polite request) · vo begö (interjection to make a polite request) · ckb کەرەم کە (interjection to make a polite request) · hy հաճիս (interjection to make a polite request) · eo bonvolu (interjection to make a polite request) · nv tʼáá shǫǫdí (interjection to make a polite request) · grc ἂν βούλητε (interjection to make a polite request) · pt por favor (expression of annoyance or impatience) · ar مِن فَضْلِك (interjection to make a polite request) · kmr tuxwedê (interjection to make a polite request) · bn দয়া করে (interjection to make a polite request) · ia si il vos place (interjection to make a polite request) · gv my sailt (interjection to make a polite request) · fr S.V.P. (interjection to make a polite request) · de bitte (interjection to make a polite request) · ps مهرباني (interjection to make a polite request) · la amabo (interjection to make a polite request) · ur اَز راہِ تَلَطُّف (interjection to make a polite request)
Semantic loan from German bitte (“please; excuse me”).
Meanings
(Cincinnati) Said as a request to repeat information.
Cincinnati are some of the most polite persons I have ever met in the US. When asking someone a question, instead of saying “Excuse me,” or “Pardon,” they say “Please?” 5 May 1998, Jose I. Sarasua, “Come to Cincinnati... Please?”, in Cost Engineering, volume 40, number 5, page 9:
Customer while ordering: Can I get a [unintelligible]? Restaurant employee: Please?
By the same token, one contestant who doesn’t hear a particular question could say “Pardon me?” while another could say “Please?” Again, neither would be lying if he said he was from Ohio. April 2001, Jeff Robinson, “Say what?”, in Ohio Magazine, archived from the original on 02 Apr 2019, page 77:
[…] He explained in broken English that one of his daughters was ill and he probably could not be there. I did not understand all that he said, so asked, ‘Please?’ per Cincinnati custom. ‘There is no need to plead. I will be there if she is feeling better,’ he replied. September 1979, “Winners: Contest No. 13—The Laugh’s On Us”, in Cincinnati, volume 12, number 12, page 15:
Even though I heard it was supposed to be German-Catholic background, there’s only one thing German — they say ‘please’ [for the more common ‘pardon me’], which comes from bitte. September 1978, Virginia Watson-Rouslin, “A Foreign View”, in Cincinnati, page 110:
Ellen grew up outside of Cincinnati and believed her own talk was the “norm,” while others were speakers of dialects. She was in graduate school before she learned that not all people say, Please? to mean Can you repeat that? 2011, Ellen McIntyre, Nancy Hulan, Vicky Layne, Reading Instruction for Diverse Classrooms: Research-Based, Culturally Responsive Practice, Guilford Press, →ISBN, page 72:
In Maine, where as much as a quarter of the population has French ancestry, you may hear a stray hair called a couette, and in parts of Ohio please is used in the same way as the German bitte, to invite a person to repeat something just said — apparently a remnant of the bilingual schooling once available in Cincinnati. 2008, Henry Hitchings, The Secret Life of Words: How English Became English, →ISBN, page 255:
Fellow: May I have a few days off to get married?
Reply, in the Cincinnati idiom by a boss who had heard the sound but not the sense:
Boss: Please? August 1973, “Bitte or Bitter?”, in Cincinnati, page 109: