Easy Pittsburghese | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Easy Pittsburghese

17 words to spice up your vocabulary n'at!

194
Easy Pittsburghese
VFN Torch

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a charming city full of many unique colloquialisms. Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, my childhood was spent immersed in a world of imaginary words. Since moving across the state, there are still times when the things that I say confuse the people around me.

If you're headed to Pittsburgh, or if you have ever been curious about the etymology of certain Western Pennsylvanian words, read on! Below is a list of some of my favorite bits of Pittsburghese.

1. Still

I'm not talking about making moonshine, here. Before you head to the Steel City, there's one important thing you should know. In Pittsburgh, it's not pronounced "steel," it's pronounced "still." The Pittsburgh Stillers, still mills and even the Still City itself fall under this important rule.

2. Slippy


When there's a chill in the air and a bit of ice on the ground, you may find yourself sliding unexpectedly. Most people would say "It's slippery outside!" Not in Pittsburgh, though. It's just a little slippy.

3. Gum bands

Perhaps the elasticity (or gummy-ness) of these office supplies is how they got their name. While they may be made of rubber, to me, they will always be gum bands.

4. Dahn

It's goin' dahn for real! Are you dahn? This also applies to locations like dahntahn (downtown), dahnstairs (downstairs) or when used in a phrase like: "I'm goin' dahn the bank" ("I'm going down to the bank.")


5. Pop

Also known as soda, pop is a thing that confounds outsiders. If you're not from Pittsburgh, you probably have no idea what a pop is... but now you know!

6. Gobs

If you've never had a gob, you don't know what you're missing! Two cakelike cookies sandwich a delicious whipped filling. Common flavor combinations are pumpkin gobs with cream cheese filling, chocolate gobs with peanut butter filling and pretty much any flavor with vanilla filling. You may know them as whoopie pies.

7. Crick


No, not the thing you find in your neck - the thing you might find in your backyard, if you're rural enough. Cricks are like tiny rivers or streams. Or creeks. Cricks are a lot like creeks.

8. Nebby

Nebby people are the worst! They can never seem to mind their own business, and they're always sticking their noses where they don't belong. If someone calls you nebby, it's not a compliment! See also: Neb, Neb-Nose.

9. Jaggers


This one probably wasn't at all what you were thinking it was. Jaggers are thorns, or anything prickly. Western Pennsylvania is full or briars, brambles and jagger bushes.

10. Jagoff


Meanwhile, a jagoff (or just "jag" for short) is basically a jerk. It might just be someone who brakes before going through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel, or it might be the guy down the block who's a real thorn in your side.

11. Chipped ham

There's only one way to eat sliced ham when you're in Western Pennsylvania, and that's chipped. Chipped (or chippedchopped) ham is sliced so thin that you can read through it, and most of the time, the shaved pile of meat you purchase from the deli contains only partial slices. it makes an amazing sandwich with mayo and black pepper or, even better, fried up with Pepsi and ketchup as chipped ham barbecue!

12. Hoagie

Pretty much synonymous with "sub" no matter if you buy it from a kid doing a marching band fundraiser or if you get yours from Subway.

13. Grinny

Tamias striatus. Behold, the Eastern Chipmunk.

14. Redd up

As I learned in kindergarten, redd up means clean up! I was never very good at this one...

15. Yinz


Yinz have probably been waiting for this one! Really, it's the same as saying "you guys," "you all" or "y'all," but for whatever reason, Pittsburgh just has a unique way of saying it. You might even hear "yinz guys" or "all o' yinz!"


16. The Strip


If you hear someone say that they're going to "head dahn The Strip," don't worry. It's nothing dirty! The Strip Distcrict is one of the best places in the city to shop small businesses and local restaurants. Be prepared to parallel park, and bring some quarters!

17. N'at


When in Pittsburgh, it's popular to include "n'at" near the end your sentences. For example: "Did yinz eat all them gobs and hoagies n'at yourselves?"

Did I leave anything out? Is there a word you're still not sure of? Let me know below!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

272
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

15107
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3062
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments