“Open sesame” or “open says me” which one is actually correct? If you have ever heard this phrase and wondered if you have been saying or spelling it wrong, you are not alone.
The correct expression is “open sesame,” a famous phrase used to describe something that magically opens a door or unlocks an opportunity.
“Open says me” is a common mishearing, but it is not the standard phrase in English.
In this guide, you shall learn what “open sesame” means, where the expression comes from, and how to use it naturally in everyday writing and conversation.
We shall also look at real sentence examples and explain why the two versions are so easily confused.
By the end, you shall know the correct spelling, meaning, pronunciation, and usage with confidence.
Quick Answer
Open sesame is the correct phrase, while “open says me” is a common mishearing or misspelling. “Open sesame” is an expression meaning a magic word or method that opens a way to something. It comes from the traditional tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves in One Thousand and One Nights.
Open Sesame vs. Open Says Me: Comparison Table
| Feature | Open Sesame | Open Says Me |
| Correct Word/Phrase | Open sesame | Open says me |
| Meaning | A magic phrase or method that provides access | No established meaning as the traditional expression |
| Definition | An expression referring to a command that opens something or a means of gaining access | A mistaken version caused by hearing “sesame” incorrectly |
| Part of Speech | Imperative phrase / idiomatic expression | Not a standard English expression |
| Grammar Rule | “Open” functions as an imperative verb; “sesame” is part of the fixed expression | Does not follow the established form of the idiom |
| Correct Usage | “The password was the open sesame to the archive.” | Not normally used for this meaning |
| Incorrect Usage | “He shouted, ‘Open says me!’” | |
| Pronunciation | Commonly pronounced OH pən SEH suh mee | Not applicable as the standard phrase |
| Common Mistake | Treating “sesame” as if it were an ordinary sentence word | Hearing “sesame” as “says me” |
| Memory Tip | Think of sesame as the magic word | Remember that says me is not the traditional phrase |
| Example | “The secret code was his open sesame.” | “Open says me” is not the standard expression. |
What Does “Open Sesame” Mean?
Open sesame is a traditional expression that means a magic word or command used to gain access to something that is normally difficult to enter or obtain.
The phrase can be used literally in references to the traditional story, but modern English often uses it figuratively.
For example:
- “The password was the open sesame to the private database.”
- “Her recommendation opened the open sesame to several new opportunities.”
- “For many travelers, a valid passport is the open sesame to international travel.”
In these examples, the phrase does not literally open a door. Instead, it describes something that gives a person access or makes an opportunity available.
Is “Open Sesame” an Idiom?
Yes. Open sesame functions as an established idiomatic expression in English.
It can describe:
- A magical command that supposedly opens a door.
- A special word or password that grants access.
- A method, qualification, connection, or opportunity that unlocks something otherwise inaccessible.
The expression can therefore be used in both literal references to the story and figurative modern writing.
Pronunciation of “Open Sesame”
In standard American English, open sesame is commonly pronounced approximately:
OH pən SEH suh mee
The word sesame is pronounced with three syllables:
SEH suh mee
This pronunciation helps explain why some listeners may misinterpret the phrase as “says me,” especially when they hear it quickly.
What Does “Open Says Me” Mean?
“Open says me” is not the standard English phrase.
It is generally a mishearing, misspelling, or phonetic reinterpretation of open sesame.
The confusion occurs because the final part of sesame can sound unfamiliar to someone who has never seen the expression written down. A listener might attempt to divide the sounds into familiar English words and arrive at something resembling “says me.”
However, it does not carry the traditional meaning associated with the expression.
Why Does “Open Says Me” Sound Possible?
English contains many phrases whose spoken forms do not perfectly reveal their written forms. When people encounter an unfamiliar expression only through speech, they sometimes replace unfamiliar words with familiar ones.
For example, someone who has never encountered sesame in this context might hear:
“Open sesame”
and mentally interpret the sounds as:
“Open says me”
The second version may sound plausible conversationally, but it is not the established expression.
Key Differences Between “Open Sesame” and “Open Says Me”
The most important differences are straightforward:
- Open sesame is the correct and established expression.
- Open says me is not the traditional phrase.
- Sesame is a real English word, referring to a plant and its seeds.
- Says me would consist of the verb says and the pronoun me, but that combination does not create the idiom.
- Open sesame comes from the traditional story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.
- Modern speakers often use open sesame figuratively to mean a means of gaining access.
- If you are writing the expression, always use sesame, not says me.
Grammar Rules for “Open Sesame”
Although open sesame is an idiom, its individual words have ordinary grammatical functions.
1. “Open” Is an Imperative Verb
In the original command, open is the base form of the verb open used imperatively.
For example:
- “Open the door.”
- “Open the gate.”
- “Open sesame!”
An imperative gives a command or instruction.
2. “Sesame” Is the Name of a Plant and Its Seed
Sesame is an ordinary English noun referring to the sesame plant or its seeds.
For example:
- “Sesame seeds are commonly used in cooking.”
- “The recipe calls for toasted sesame seeds.”
- “Sesame oil has a distinctive flavor.”
In open sesame, however, “sesame” functions as part of a fixed expression rather than referring directly to a quantity of sesame seeds.
3. The Phrase Is Normally Fixed
You should not normally change open sesame into “open says me” or another variation when referring to the idiom.
Correct:
“The password was the open sesame he needed.”
Incorrect:
“The password was the open says me he needed.”
Are There Exceptions?
There is no standard grammatical exception that makes open says me correct as a replacement for open sesame.
A writer could theoretically use the words “says me” in a completely different sentence, but that would not make open says me a recognized version of the idiom.
When Should You Use “Open Sesame”?
In Academic Writing
You can use open sesame in academic writing when discussing literature, folklore, idioms, language, or cultural expressions.
For example:
“The phrase ‘open sesame’ has become a metaphor for gaining access to something previously unavailable.”
In highly technical writing, a more precise expression such as means of access or method of gaining entry may be preferable if the idiom adds no useful meaning.
In Professional Writing
The phrase can work in professional writing when the tone is conversational or editorial.
For example:
“Strong professional credentials can become the open sesame to new career opportunities.”
However, avoid forcing idioms into formal reports where direct wording would be clearer.
In Formal English
Open sesame is grammatically acceptable in formal English, but it has a literary and figurative flavor.
A formal alternative might be:
- “means of access”
- “key to entry”
- “means of gaining access”
- “gateway to opportunity”
In Informal English
The expression works particularly well in informal conversation:
“That membership card is your open sesame to the lounge.”
In Business Writing
Businesses sometimes use open sesame metaphorically to describe something that unlocks an opportunity.
For example:
“For small companies, a strong online presence can be the open sesame to international customers.”
Because the phrase is somewhat colorful, it works better in marketing, opinion writing, presentations, and feature articles than in highly technical documents.
In Emails
You can use it in a friendly or conversational email:
“Your referral was the open sesame that helped us get the meeting.”
For a formal business email, a simpler phrase such as key to securing the meeting may sound more professional.
In Daily Conversation
In everyday English, you might say:
“Apparently, that password is the open sesame.”
Or:
“A little networking can be the open sesame to some great opportunities.”
Why Do People Confuse “Open Sesame” and “Open Says Me”?
The main reason is sound based confusion.
Someone may learn the phrase by hearing it rather than reading it. If they do not already know the word sesame, they may try to interpret the unfamiliar sound using words they recognize.
Several factors contribute to the confusion:
1. “Sesame” Is Not Being Used in Its Everyday Food Meaning
Most people know sesame from food, such as sesame seeds, sesame oil, or sesame buns. They may not immediately expect it to appear as a magical command.
2. The Phrase Is Often Learned Through Speech
People commonly encounter “open sesame” in movies, stories, cartoons, or conversations. Hearing an unfamiliar phrase can lead to a mistaken spelling.
3. “Says Me” Contains Familiar Words
Says and me are common English words. The brain may therefore interpret unfamiliar sounds as familiar words.
4. The Expression Is Often Spoken Quickly
In natural speech, words blend together. This can make sesame less obvious to a listener who has never seen the phrase in writing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Writing “Open Says Me”
Incorrect:
“The magic words were open, says me.”
Correct:
“The magic words were ‘open sesame.’”
Mistake 2: Assuming “Sesame” Is a Misspelling
Some people may think sesame looks unusual in the expression. It is not a misspelling.
Sesame is the correct word.
Mistake 3: Treating “Open Sesame” as Ordinary Directions
The phrase is usually an idiom or cultural reference, not a normal instruction to open something.
Compare:
“Open the door.”
with:
“Open sesame!”
The first is an ordinary command. The second is the famous traditional expression.
Mistake 4: Changing the Expression to Match Its Sound
If you only know the phrase from hearing it, you may be tempted to spell it phonetically.
The safest solution is simple: remember the established spelling sesame.
20 Original Examples of “Open Sesame”
- The ancient inscription seemed to be the open sesame to the hidden chamber.
- Her introduction became the open sesame that gave him access to the private event.
- In the old tale, Ali Baba discovers that “Open sesame” opens the cave.
- The correct password acted as an open sesame for the locked system.
- For the young researcher, the scholarship was an open sesame to international study.
- The editor’s recommendation became the open sesame to a prestigious publishing opportunity.
- During the classroom discussion, the teacher explained why “open sesame” is an idiom.
- The journalist described the exclusive invitation as an open sesame to an otherwise inaccessible conference.
- In the novel, the mysterious phrase functions as an open sesame to a secret passage.
- The membership card was practically an open sesame to the city’s private clubs.
- On social media, users sometimes mention “open sesame” when joking about a password or locked door.
- The entrepreneur viewed the new partnership as an open sesame to overseas markets.
- His professional certification became an open sesame to better career opportunities.
- The museum guide explained how the expression “open sesame” entered everyday English.
- The child shouted “open sesame” while pretending that the bedroom door was enchanted.
- The newspaper article called the new technology an open sesame for businesses seeking faster access to data.
- Her fluency in several languages became an open sesame to international assignments.
- The security code was supposed to function as an open sesame, but the electronic lock still would not open.
- The author used open sesame as a metaphor for discovering a world that had previously seemed inaccessible.
- “Open says me” appeared in the student’s draft, but the teacher corrected it to “open sesame.”
Open Sesame in American vs. British English
There is no major American versus British spelling difference for this expression.
Both American and British English use:
open sesame
The meaning is also essentially the same in both varieties of English.
You may encounter slightly different stylistic preferences depending on the context, but sesame remains the correct spelling in both forms of standard English.
Is “Open Sesame” Capitalized?
Capitalization depends on how you use the phrase.
When it appears as a normal expression within a sentence, lowercase is appropriate:
The password became his open sesame.
When it begins a sentence or appears as a quoted command, capitalization may change accordingly:
Open sesame!
If you are referring specifically to the expression as a title or heading, capitalization follows the style used for that heading.
Is “Open Sesame” One Word or Two?
Open sesame consists of two words.
Correct:
open sesame
Incorrect:
opensesame
The phrase should be written as two separate words.
Where Does “Open Sesame” Come From?
The expression is famously associated with the tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, one of the best known stories connected with the collection commonly known in English as One Thousand and One Nights or The Arabian Nights.
In the story, Ali Baba discovers a cave used by a group of thieves. The cave opens when the appropriate words are spoken, allowing access to the treasure inside.
The phrase later became widely established in English as a metaphor for a magic key, password, or means of gaining access.
Because the expression has a long literary and cultural history, its meaning today extends well beyond the original story.
Is “Open Sesame” a Magic Word?
Yes, in its traditional story context, open sesame functions as a magical command.
In modern English, however, the expression is usually figurative. Someone might call a password, personal connection, qualification, or opportunity an open sesame because it gives access to something desirable.
For example:
“Her recommendation was the open sesame to the exclusive program.”
Here, nobody expects the recommendation to perform literal magic. The phrase simply emphasizes how effectively it opened an opportunity.
Memory Trick: How to Remember “Open Sesame”
Use this simple rule:
Sesame = the Magic Word
Think:
Open + Sesame = Magic Access
Do not think:
Open + Says Me = Sentence
You can also connect sesame with sesame seeds. If you can spell the food word sesame, you can spell the famous expression correctly.
Remember:
Open sesame opens the cave.
That one association makes the correct spelling much easier to recall.
Mini Quiz
What does “open sesame” commonly mean figuratively?
A. A type of food
B. A difficult question
C. A means of gaining access
D. A way to close a door
Answer: C. A means of gaining access
Where is the phrase famously associated with?
A. Romeo and Juliet
B. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
C. The Odyssey
D. Beowulf
Answer: B. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
A. “Open says me” was the magic command.
B. The password was the open sesame to the system.
C. The opening says I gave her access.
D. He used to tell me to enter.
Answer: B. The password was the open sesame to the system.
How many words are in “open sesame”?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Answer: B. Two
FAQs
Is it “open sesame” or “open says me”?
The correct expression is “open sesame.” “Open says me” is a mistaken version that can result from hearing the phrase incorrectly. Open sesame is a traditional expression associated with Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and now commonly refers to a magic word, password, or method that provides access to something.
What does “open sesame” mean?
Open sesame means a magic word, command, or figurative means of gaining access to something. The expression comes from the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, where the words open a secret cave. In modern English, it can describe anything that unlocks an opportunity or provides entry to something otherwise difficult to access.
Is “open says me” a real phrase?
“Open says me” is not the standard version of the expression. It is generally a mishearing or misspelling of “open sesame.” Although the individual words “says” and “me” are normal English words, together they do not form the traditional idiom associated with Ali Baba and the magical cave.
Why do people say “open says me”?
People may say or write “open says me” because they have heard “open sesame” without seeing it written. Since “sesame” can sound unfamiliar in this context, listeners may interpret the sounds as the more familiar words “says me.” The confusion is therefore primarily a pronunciation based misunderstanding, not a legitimate alternative spelling.
Is “open sesame” grammatically correct?
Yes. Open sesame is an established English expression. “Open” functions as an imperative verb in the original command, while “sesame” is part of the fixed idiomatic expression. When used figuratively as a noun phrase, it can describe something that provides access, such as a password, connection, qualification, or opportunity.
Is “open sesame” used in American English?
Yes. Open sesame is commonly recognized in American English, and there is no different American spelling for the expression. British English also uses open sesame. The phrase can appear in literature, journalism, conversation, business writing, and informal speech, especially when describing something that provides access or unlocks an opportunity.
Key Takeaways
- Open sesame is the correct expression.
- Open says me is a common mishearing or misspelling.
- Sesame is spelled S E S A M E.
- The expression is associated with Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.
- “Open sesame” originally functions as a magical command in the story.
- In modern English, it can mean gaining access.
- The phrase can be used literally, figuratively, humorously, or metaphorically.
- American and British English both use open sesame.
- The phrase contains two words.
- Remember: “Open sesame opens the cave.”
Conclusion
The correct phrase is open sesame, not open, says me.
The confusion usually comes from hearing the expression without seeing it written, but sesame is the established spelling.
Originating from the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, open sesame refers to a magical command and, in modern English, to anything that provides access to an opportunity, place, or resource.
Whenever you are choosing between open sesame or open sesame, remember the simple rule: the magic phrase is always “open sesame.”
Jack Ellison is an American author at WordsSign. He writes clear and well-researched articles on symbols, meanings, culture, and spiritual insights.
