5 Fascinating Secrets Behind "Open Says A Me": The Hilarious History Of A Misheard Magical Phrase

For years, the phrase "Open says a me" has been a curious, almost secret password for a generation of internet users, instantly conjuring images of an Italian plumber or a cartoon character attempting to unlock a hidden treasure. As of late 2025, this phonetic joke remains a popular cultural touchstone, but its true power lies not in its sound, but in the fascinating linguistic journey it took from an ancient Persian folktale to a modern-day viral meme. This deep dive will finally unlock the secrets behind this iconic misinterpretation. The seemingly nonsensical phrase is, in fact, one of the most famous examples of a specific type of linguistic error, a phenomenon that has captivated language experts and meme enthusiasts alike. It represents the perfect storm of cultural memory, phonetic humor, and the enduring legacy of classic literature, proving that sometimes, the most memorable phrases are the ones we get slightly wrong.

The Definitive Origin: Unlocking the Real "Open Sesame"

To truly understand "Open says a me," we must first travel back to its authentic source: the powerful, original magical incantation, "Open Sesame." This phrase is far more than a simple password; it is a piece of literary history. The phrase originates from the beloved Middle Eastern folktale, *Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves*. This story is one of the most famous additions to the sprawling collection of tales known as *One Thousand and One Nights* (also frequently called *Arabian Nights*). In the narrative, the poor woodcutter Ali Baba stumbles upon a secret hideout used by a band of forty robbers. The entrance to the cave is a massive, concealed rock door, which only opens when the leader of the thieves utters the mystical words. The correct magical command is, of course, "Open Sesame."

The Significance of the Sesame Seed

The choice of "Sesame" is not arbitrary or random; it is deeply symbolic. While various theories exist, the most accepted explanation links the word directly to the sesame seed. * Symbolic Bursting: The sesame plant produces a seed pod that is famous for bursting open when ripe. This action—a sudden, dramatic opening—serves as a perfect metaphor for the cave door dramatically swinging open. * Ancient Crop: Sesame was a vital and ancient crop in the Near East, making the word instantly recognizable and familiar to the original audience of the tales. * Linguistic Roots: Some scholars have suggested that "sesame" may be a corruption of an Arabic or Hebrew word related to "name" or "plant," though the bursting pod metaphor remains the most compelling cultural explanation. The power of the phrase lies in its simplicity and its connection to a natural, explosive act of revelation. It is a genuine piece of magical incantation from the world of classical literature.

The Linguistic Phenomenon: Why We Say "Open Says a Me"

The transformation of "Open Sesame" into "Open says a me" is a prime example of a fascinating and common linguistic phenomenon. This is not a simple mistake; it's a creative reinterpretation. The term for this specific type of error is an eggcorn. An eggcorn occurs when a person replaces an unfamiliar or archaic word with a more common or phonetically similar word or phrase, while still retaining the original meaning, or at least a plausible meaning, in the new context. The classic example is replacing "acorn" with "eggcorn." In the case of "Open says a me," the unfamiliar, foreign-sounding word "Sesame" is phonetically reinterpreted as the common English words "says a me." * Phonetic Matching: The syllables *Se-sa-me* sound remarkably close to *Says-a-me* when spoken quickly or with a specific accent. * Plausible Context: The new phrase, "Open says a me," makes grammatical sense in a simplified, child-like, or non-native English context. It sounds like a command directed by the speaker: "I command you to Open!"

The Bone Apple Tea Connection and Viral Humor

The term Bone Apple Tea is the internet's popular, self-referential term for eggcorns. It is, itself, an eggcorn for the French phrase "Bon Appétit." The phrase "Open says a me" is one of the most frequently cited examples in the Bone Apple Tea subreddit and on social media platforms dedicated to misheard language. This type of humor is enduring because it highlights the absurdity of language and the way our brains try to make sense of unfamiliar sounds by mapping them onto familiar words. It turns an ancient magical phrase into a moment of relatable, modern comedy.

From Ancient Cave to Internet Meme: Cultural Sightings

The enduring popularity of "Open says a me" is largely due to its repeated use and association with specific cultural entities, cementing its place in the modern lexicon of internet memes and popular culture.

1. The Mario Misinterpretation

The most significant cultural driver for the "Open says a me" phrase is its association with Mario, the iconic Nintendo mascot. Due to Mario's famous stereotypical Italian accent (often characterized by adding 'a' sounds to the end of words or using simplified grammar, like "It's-a me, Mario!"), the phrase "Open says a me!" fits perfectly into his vocal identity. * The Joke: The humor stems from imagining the powerful, ancient incantation of *Ali Baba* being uttered by a cartoonish, enthusiastic plumber. * Viral Spread: This association is frequently shared in meme formats on platforms like Reddit, Tumblr, and TikTok, ensuring the phrase is continuously rediscovered by new generations.

2. The Cartoon Classic: Bugs Bunny

Another early popularizer of the phonetic pun is the beloved Looney Tunes character, Bugs Bunny. Bugs Bunny, known for his quick wit and penchant for breaking the fourth wall, often used clever wordplay and mispronunciations to mock his opponents. By saying "Open says a me," the cartoon was playing on the audience's familiarity with the original *Arabian Nights* tale while adding a layer of self-aware, comedic twist. This helped embed the phrase in the collective consciousness long before the internet.

3. The Modern Internet Resurgence

In the last few years, the phrase has experienced a resurgence as a popular digital shorthand for any situation requiring a password, a secret key, or a sudden revelation. * Reddit Threads: Discussions about the phrase on subreddits like r/memes, r/BoneAppleTea, and r/todayilearned consistently go viral, proving its continued relevance. * Creative Works: The phrase has even appeared as a title for creative works and articles, demonstrating its power as a recognizable, intriguing cultural reference point. The phrase "Open says a me" has become a cultural entity in its own right, a testament to the fact that the way we hear and process language is often more entertaining than the language itself. From the ancient Silk Road tales of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves to the digital pages of a modern meme archive, this simple mispronunciation has unlocked a treasure trove of linguistic humor and cultural history. It is a perfect example of an eggcorn that has achieved topical authority through sheer, hilarious misinterpretation.