But I'm in line.

"Next on line?"
"No, you don't have to wait on line for that."

I have heard this for like, the 100th-plus time, when I'm waiting in line for a counter. I don't get it. My initial reaction is, "Um are you talking about the 'Internets?' Because no, I'm not online, on the Internets; I'm actually here, in person, in a physical line."

I don't even own an iPhone or a Blackberry, so I'm not even online there... I'm not ON a line, unless maybe you drew one on the floor? But I don't see a line drawn on the floor. I'm in the line. Am I crazy? Who uses "on line" in this context?

Apparently all of New York.

These are New Yorkers working at the DMV, at boutiques, delis, hot dog joints, at the airport, or getting interviewed for New York Magazine...

Is it a New York thing? Or a generational thing where people are misconstruing their prepositions due to all the confusing web jargon? Is it a language fad, where mixing prepositions is cool? Are there New Yorkers who don't even know that "online" is in reference to internet status? Am I just being a total web Nerd? Am I just officially old and not understanding what the kids are saying? Did some celebrity use it this way in a popular movie that I haven't seen, like "High School Musical 2"? I am so confused.