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**Vcwdldva** · 11-08-2007, 12:53 AM

Again, it may well be a Greek/American immigrant thing. The shout "Opa" is commonly heard in Greek restaurants in Chicago (maybe other places as well, but I am speaking only of my experience) when they bring out the flaming cheese (Saganki?) appetizer. I imagine it's and expression that has been "retasked" to a number of different uses here in the US.

Fr David Moser

Yes, you are right Father. We ordered saganaki in Florida once and they did the same. But in Greece I never had this experience. Thinking of it, the flaming dish has a bit of adventurous "danger" in it and that is actually one case of usage. As a vocal stress outlet maybe, or as a satisfaction that all things went well although the "danger" present. Also Opa has usage like people would say here hop, hop, hop (hmm now it dawned on me that the hip hop comes from Opa! Giggles). For instance when there is a baby trying to dance for the first time adults encourage the baby with rythmical clapping and opa, opa, opa, like saying hop, hop, hop.

It is used also as c'mon let's go. Or when I was kid and elderly ladies lifted me and their back would hurt they would say opa for I guess aiding this activity with a sound (I guess that was their yoga equivalent

).

So all in all it is used as a release of joy, pain, happiness, and in # physical activities. But never with the frequency and exaggeration of that movie - and as I said that gives it the comedy flavor.

Also different Middle Eastern cultures have the same when they dance they say "Op, op, op" and I have heard it form other people. Like here Russians using it too. And surprise the Japanese are also jumping in the bandwagon! Here is a tame version of Greek Opa Opa song.

11-08-2007, 12:53 AM	#46
Vcwdldva Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 430 Senior Member	Again, it may well be a Greek/American immigrant thing. The shout "Opa" is commonly heard in Greek restaurants in Chicago (maybe other places as well, but I am speaking only of my experience) when they bring out the flaming cheese (Saganki?) appetizer. I imagine it's and expression that has been "retasked" to a number of different uses here in the US. Fr David Moser Yes, you are right Father. We ordered saganaki in Florida once and they did the same. But in Greece I never had this experience. Thinking of it, the flaming dish has a bit of adventurous "danger" in it and that is actually one case of usage. As a vocal stress outlet maybe, or as a satisfaction that all things went well although the "danger" present. Also Opa has usage like people would say here hop, hop, hop (hmm now it dawned on me that the hip hop comes from Opa! Giggles). For instance when there is a baby trying to dance for the first time adults encourage the baby with rythmical clapping and opa, opa, opa, like saying hop, hop, hop. It is used also as c'mon let's go. Or when I was kid and elderly ladies lifted me and their back would hurt they would say opa for I guess aiding this activity with a sound (I guess that was their yoga equivalent ). So all in all it is used as a release of joy, pain, happiness, and in # physical activities. But never with the frequency and exaggeration of that movie - and as I said that gives it the comedy flavor. Also different Middle Eastern cultures have the same when they dance they say "Op, op, op" and I have heard it form other people. Like here Russians using it too. And surprise the Japanese are also jumping in the bandwagon! Here is a tame version of Greek Opa Opa song.
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