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ELL Guide

A guide for ELL (English Language Learners) at the University of Maine at Augusta

Treat Yo Self: Meaning & Pop Culture Origin

This term comes from the popular sitcom Parks and Recreation that ran from 2009 to 2015.  Two of the characters celebrate a day each year where they treat themselves to nice things–food, clothes, etc.  They justify it with the refrain “Treat Yo Self.”  

 

So someone may eat an unhealthy food like a donut and then say afterwards, “Treat Yo Self.”  

 

Or they may see expensive clothes in a store and be unsure if they should make the purchase before ultimately deciding to purchase them and saying, “You know what: treat yo self.”  

 

Here is a clip from the show:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSjM5B3QNlw   

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