"pretty please"

Posted by Sauerkraut on December 15, 2000

In Reply to: "Pretty please" posted by Barney on December 10, 2000

: : Would like to know the origin of this phrase? How can please be pretty?

: It is a ghastly pleading phrase, which is used by some really strange people in an attempt to have another do something they are reluctant to undertake. It makes my flesh crawl and causes me to reject their plea out of hand. Strange what power a simple two-word phrase can have over ones emotions. There may well be a better definition, I'm not adamant. As to origin - better it did not have one.

Hear, hear to that. Even more grating and unpleasant than "pretty please" is another version I've heard "pretty please with brown sugar on it." My fingers ache just typing it.