What is pray tell?

---

Pray Tell

Pray tell is an archaic and somewhat theatrical phrase meaning "please tell me" or "I ask you." It is used to introduce a question, often one motivated by curiosity, surprise, or even mild disbelief.

• Meaning and Usage: The core meaning of pray tell is a polite but slightly formal way to ask someone to explain something. It carries a sense of polite inquiry, implying a desire to be enlightened. It can also be used rhetorically, to express incredulity or mild sarcasm. See: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Meaning%20and%20Usage
• Origin: The phrase originated from the older use of "pray" as a general intensifier and request, similar to "please." Over time, "pray tell" became a fixed expression. See: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Origin
• Tone and Connotation: Pray tell has a somewhat old-fashioned and literary feel. Its use can add a touch of charm, humor, or even irony to a conversation or writing. It's rarely used in casual, everyday speech. See: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Tone%20and%20Connotation
• Examples:
  • "Pray tell, what brought you here at this late hour?"
  • "Pray tell, how did you manage to convince them of that?" See: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Examples