Yinzer Basics: Pittsburghese for Beginners

By Megan Huerbin

So, you’ve landed yourself in the ’Burgh, huh?  The land of bridges and rivers and a mean, constant hankering to put fries on top of anything and everything edible?

Well then, won’t you be my neighbor? (Do yourself a favor and get friendly with Mr. Rogers fast, because not getting those references will get you kicked atta tahn faster than you can say “scratch my back with a hacksaw.”)

As you first try to navigate our winding hills, mismatched streets, and finicky weather, you’re bound to come across another sort of barrier (and I’m not just talking about stairwells that actually count as streets on the map). I’m talking about the native language of Pittsburghese.

“Oh, pish-posh,” you might say, waving your hand.  But what will you tell the first Pittsburgher who asks if you’d like to “pump some arn?”  Or if you happen to have a spare bumbershoot?  What will you do then?

Pittsburghese is a dialect of unparalleled delight, filled with bizarre phrases, awkward, nearly unintelligible pronunciation, and a tendency to confuse.

It’s (kind of) charming, I promise.

The accent of a native Burgher has a tendency to  disregard the standard English pronunciation of “ou” or “ow” and makes it sound closer to something like “ah.”  The ends of words get lopped off, making words like “north” sound like nore. And grammar isn’t necessarily important (at all). “To be” doesn’t really exist here in the Steel City (FYI, we also slur “ee” so that it sounds like “i”).  The floor doesn’t ever need to be swept, but yinz can bet it always needs swept.

Anyway, here’s a brief overview of your Yinzer basics (click the links and you can watch us pronounce some of this stuff). If you’ve got these down, you’re probably going to be just fine.  Probably.

Important Locations (phonetically spelled with the Burgh accent)

Nore-syde: North Side (where the city’s football and baseball stadiums, new casino, several museums, and science center are located)

Sahth-syde: South Side (where you go to drink—period)

Dahn-tahn: Downtown (home to the city’s theaters and fancier restaurants)

Hahs: House (the place of residence, most commonly seen in a phrase such as “Why don’ yinz guys come dahn the hahs?”)

Gine Iggle: Giant Eagle (chain grocery store that will most likely be in your neighborhood)

Vocabulary

Yinz: You all (Pittsburgh version of y’all)

Chipped-chopped: Thinly sliced deli meat (usually refers to Isley’s ham)

Sweep: To vacuum (confusing, I know)

Bumbershoot: Umbrella

Nebby: Nosy (noun form: Neb-nose)

Allegheny Whitefish: condom (usually floating in a river)

Underguchies: Underwear

Pop: Soda (and we will die before calling it anything else)

Gumband: Rubber band (unlike most of the words on this list, most native Pittsburghers will not know what the generally accepted synonym for this word is)

Jagoff: Asshole (there’s no way to beat around the bush with this one. Once a jagoff, always a jagoff…especially in rush hour)

Stillers: Pittsburgh Steelers (our NFL team—to be safe, you should probably own one piece of team paraphernalia to prove you’re not a Browns fan)

Bucs: Pittsburgh Pirates (our admittedly terrible MLB team…but not rooting for them is a Burgher faux paus of infinite proportions)

Pittsburgh Salad: A salad with fries gloriously dumped on top of it

Worsh: To wash

Phrases

Red Up: To clean up or tidy up a room or one’s appearance.

Pumpin’ arn: To drink beer (refers to Iron City Beer which used to be based out of Pittsburgh)

N’at: And that (used at the end of sentences to replace “and so on” and its counterparts)

These ones/Those ones: These/those (we know it’s grammatically incorrect, but grammar isn’t really important when it comes to talking like a native)

Jeet Jet?: Did you eat yet?

Be a Sport

By Mollie Durkin

Our sports do’s and don’ts:

If you’re not a Pittsburgh fan:

• Don’t be obnoxious. Wearing subtle attire is fine, but don’t start any arguments. Burghers have home-field advantage, and you will lose. Badly.
• Do prepare to see lots of hometown pride. Even the old ladies at the bus stop wear Steelers gear.
• Do be ready to take criticism. If you’re openly rooting for your team, expect some jeers. After all, you’re asking for it.
• Do avoid large crowds if you’re openly supporting your team. Unless, of course, you enjoy conflict and know how to handle rabid Pittsburghers.
• Don’t underestimate Pittsburgh fans. They will find you, and they will call you out.

If you want to be a Pittsburgh fan:

• Don’t be obnoxious. This one goes both ways – no one likes the guy who takes it all too seriously.
• Do visit Heinz Field, home of the Steelers, and the city’s pride and joy. If you don’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars, go to a Pitt Panthers football game.
• Do visit the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. Located Downtown, it celebrates the history of Pittsburgh sports.
• Don’t be undergeared. Buy at least one team shirt or jersey. From games to sports parties, you will need it.
• Do brush up on your history. Some of the oldest, most legendary franchises play here. Show some respect, or you’ll look like a noob.

Historic Rivalries

Every major city has both its beloved and not-so-beloved sports teams. But Pittsburgh isn’t any normal city: The rivalries here are intense. Way intense. To be sure you know which teams are appropriate to root for and which are hated by the natives, here’s some key rivalries in the NFL, MLB and NHL.

Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens

This young rivalry is one of the most intense in the NFL. Both teams are annual contenders for the AFC North division, and they play each other at least twice a year. The Ravens squad is a young one. After years of no football in Baltimore (the Colts relocated to Indianapolis in 1984), the Ravens franchise was born in 1996 as the result of a relocated Cleveland Browns squad — the Steelers’ former rival. Games are almost always close between the two teams. Try to avoid wearing purple here, especially on game day.

 

Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers

You might be surprised how much Western Pennsylvania actually likes hockey — and hates its Eastern counterparts. This in-state rivalry even has its own name — the Battle of Pennsylvania — and it goes back to 1967.  Both teams play in the Atlantic Division. Begrudgingly, I acknowledge that the Flyers lead the all-time series, 140–81–30. The rivalry, though, has been torrid in recent years, with the Penguins eliminating the Flyers from the playoffs in 2008 and 2009.
Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies

This is the oldest sports rivalry in the region, and although it has cooled off in recent years, fans still respect the history between these two Pennsylvania teams. It all started back in 1887 after the Pirates joined National League, four years after the Phillies. Although the teams only face off in two series a season (and the Pirates have not been competitive in a long time), fans still appreciate the East-West matchups, and regional differences are put in the spotlight. Many Philadelphia fans come to PNC Park to cheer on their team, so this rivalry is always fun — if not contentious.

Pop quiz! Time to test your ’Burgh sports knowledge. Scroll down for answers (no peeking).

1)  The Steelers are the only NFL team that sports only one decal on its helmet. T/F

2)  When was the last time the Penguins won the Stanley Cup?

3)  When was the Pirates’ last winning season?

4)  Who is the owner of the Steelers?

5)  Where do the Penguins play?

6)  The Phillies have the edge over the Pirates in all-time regular series meetings. T/F

7)  Who said it? “[Regarding the Steelers-Ravens rivalry] the coaches hate each other, the players hate each other … There’s no calling each other after the game and inviting each other out to dinner.”

8)  Who is the current head coach of the Penguins?

9)  How many championships have the Steelers won?

10) When did the Pirates last win the World Series?

Answer Key: 1.) T 2.) 2009 3.) 1992 4.) Dan Rooney 5.) Consol Energy Center 6.) F, Pittsburgh leads 1098-919. 7.) Former Steelers WR Hines Ward 8.) Dan Blysma 9.) Six. They don’t call it Sixburgh for nothing!10.) 1979