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.
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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
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!
