# Ollie, Ollie oxen go free

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ollie-ollie-oxen-go-free/145751>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [December 30, 2002, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ollie-ollie-oxen-go-free/145751 "2002-12-30T21:23:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kenskorupski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@kenskorupski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenskorupski)\
**Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ollie-ollie-oxen-go-free/145751/1 "2002-12-30T21:23:42Z")

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It was my understanding that the phrase has been mangled over the years. The origins of the phrase are in English and actually should be “All Ye! All Ye! Out come free!” Which was announced by the person who was “it” during a game of hide and seek when the game was over.

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**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ollie-ollie-oxen-go-free/145751/2 "2002-12-31T02:34:29Z")

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Welcome to the SDMB, and thank you for posting your comment.  
Please include a link to Cecil’s column if it’s on the straight dope web site.  
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Cecil’s column can be found on-line at this link:  
[What’s the meaning of “Ollie, Ollie oxen go free”? (22-Jun-1990)](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a900622a.html)

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