prepositions - Difference between "drop on by" and "drop by"


I first learned of “drop on by” in this news article, 2012, by Spectrum News, Texas.



“Armstrong hits pool for Longhorn Aquatics event. Longhorn Aquatics was hosting its New Year's Classic, and Lance Armstrong decided to drop on by and hop in the pool. The seven-time Tour de France champ swam in one of the 500 free heats, and going up against kids more than half his age, he looked much slower than he did all those years on a bike.”



What is the difference between drop on by and drop by? What is the meaning of on here?



Answer



Since no one else came up with a thoroughly researched reply...


I suspect that we get it by evolution from "come on over". The "on" means "forward" or "ahead" literally, but in the phrase it adds encouragement, like you'd use with a dog for example.


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