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Yooper is a common term for residents of the Upper Penisula of Michigan. It is derived from the initials U.P. which is pronounced you-pee. U.P. stands for Upper Peninsula, as opposed to the lower peninsula of Michigan.

It is not a derogortory term. It is used mainly by residents of lower Michigan and Wisconsin.
That person is a yooper from Escanaba, Michigan.

Yoopers make fun of Trolls. Trolls are from 'down below', referring to lower Michigan.
Yoopers come from above the bridge, referring to the Mackinac Bridge, which separates upper Michigan from lower Michigan.
Yoopers have a habit of saying 'youse guy's' or often putting 'eh' after a statement. ie; Hey,youse guys, we're proud to be yoopers, eh?.
Yooper by superyouper October 19, 2005
Related Words
A native or inhabitant of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Yoopers are known to be extremely friendly and welcoming people and make anyone feel at ease. Most tourists leave the UP with a feeling that they can't wait to return.

Like other areas of the US, there is a regional dialect.
The dialect most associated with the Upper Peninsula is one with a strong Finnish influence. The reason the Finnish language seems to have had the most lasting impression on the dialect of the Upper Peninsula goes back to the mining boom. When Finnish immigrants first came to the Upper Peninsula.


"It is one of the prettiest places in the world".
---Henry Ford, 1920's---
I'm a Yooper and proud of it! :)
yooper by yooper-jes August 19, 2008

the yooze 

a shortened version of the word "usual"
Wazzup bro" "Not much, just the yooze
the yooze by beerponggirl November 20, 2010
An individual from the U.P. of Michigan
My parents were raised in Northern Michigan so they are Yoopers.
yoopers by Tbone April 16, 2003
Someone who lives, OR WAS BORN, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
I am a Yooper. originally from Escanaba,MI, who lives in the Chicago area
Yooper by Rajur Mattsen July 15, 2003

Yooper Zeke

The ultimate cheeto munch man master (aka da pope)
“Yooper Zeke” is a BALLER
Yooper Zeke by MeSir August 3, 2020
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