Take the 2-minute tour ×  I'm curious to hear from folks in the
the Northeast United States (or anyone, really) an explanation
of why "standing on line" seems preferable to "standing in line"
in the US northeast.  I imagine for many people that their
reasons for preference will be that "It just sounds better,"
just as my reasons for my preference is that "standing on line"
sounds too awkward to my ears. That said, I can't even create a
linguistic argument for why it might be more "correct."
share|improve this question It's personal preference. – 
Anonymous Aug 7 '10 at 17:41 It isn't used in the mid-atlantic
states that I know of. It sounds New Englandish. –  Arlen Beiler
Aug 8 '10 at 2:35 I was hoping to hear from someone who used the
construct, but I also don't just want it hanging out there. – 
cori Aug 23 '10 at 13:34 If there is an actual line drawn on the
floor, I might stand on line. If i'm waiting behind others, I
will stand in line. If I wait behind others while using my
laptop, I am standing in lin