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?.
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---
1. A scenic route around Michigan's Upper Peninsula, which is also known as the "U.P." or "Yoop." Motorcyclists are especially fond of this semi-wilderness experience.
2. An alternative route from Wisconsin to lower Michigan. Instead of slogging through the heavy traffic of metroChicago, adventurous drivers can take the "Yoop Loop" over the top of Lake Michigan and then across the Mackinac Bridge to lower Michigan. Longer, yes, but way more beautiful.
3. A generic term for any trip that takes the traveler through Michigan's Upper Peninsula en route to somewhere else -- one of the great undiscovered pleasures of the North Country.
"Don't drive through that traffic mess in Chicago. Let's take the Yoop Loop instead."
"What if our car breaks down and we're attacked by bears?"
"It's better than being attacked by gang bangers on the Dan Ryan Expressway!"