"queue up" "wait in line""wait on line"?

queue up is common in BrE. Wait in line is AmE. I don't hear wait on line (on-line has become a computer term)

Thank you

I believe New Yorkers say "wait on line" instead of "wait in line." I have no idea why. [:^)]

Yes, it's a New York/New Jersey thing to say 'on line'. Although 'in line' appears to be used in this area also. I've never heard it anywhere else (presumably it spills into other parts of the North East US). 'In line' is the accepted term. 'On line' or 'online' is interpreted as 'using the internet' throughout the rest of the English speaking world.

Hi Guys,

Also commonly said is 'line up'.

I had to line up to buy my ticket.

Best wishes, Clive

Thank you all, I think I got it!

0 The " on line " thing came about because of the Ellis Island experience. Imigrants literally stood on lines painted on the floor to move from one station to the next. The idiom remains in the NY area until this day. 0-

0 By the way, you can also just say "to queue" - without the "up". 0-

0 wait on line is used in New York City. Example, "are you waiting on line?" to someone who looks like they are in line for .... the bus, to purchase a movie ticket, checkout, etc.0-

0Thanks for the very interesting explanation!  As an in-migrant to NYC from the midwest, I have often wondered about the usage of "on line."0-