Query: Please from Bitte in Ohio?

[Grant Barrett]

I just got this query from a reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Basically, he wants information about "please" being  a calque for
"bitte" in Ohio, a carryover, he says, from the German heritage of the
area. It is used in place of "excuse me" or "I beg your pardon."

The reporter's information is:

Chuck Martin
Cincinatti Enquirer
cmartin at enquirer.com
513 768 8507

Thanks,

Grant Barrett
gbarrett at worldnewyork.org