MLA ’25 Host City Spotlight: Pittsburghese
Submitted by: Dana Thimons
One thing you might notice about Pittsburgh, besides its passionate sports fans and beautiful bridges, is the way people talk. “Pittsburghese” is a distinctive regional dialect and accent associated with people from Pittsburgh and its surrounding areas.
Pittsburghese has become a badge of local pride and is often celebrated in Pittsburgh-themed merchandise, comedy routines, media, and businesses such as Yinz Coffee, Veggies N’ At, and Yinzers in the Burgh.
Several books and journal articles have been published about Pittsburghese, exploring its linguistic features, cultural significance, and role in local identity. The Gumberg Library at Duquesne University even has a Pittsburghese LibGuide!
Here are some Pittsburghese words and phrases to prepare you for your visit to the ‘Burgh:
- chipped ham: thinly sliced ham invented by Isaly’s
- “Will they serve chipped ham barbecue at the First Sip of the Day & Opening of the Hall of Exhibits?“
- crick: creek
- “Even if early May is too cold to wade in the crick, we could still go on a hike.“
- dahntahn: downtown
- “My frolleagues are staying dahntahn at the Omni William Penn.“
- gum band: rubber band
- “There are extra gum bands at the registration desk if you need one for your poster.“
- jag around: goof off, fool around
- “I need to stop jagging around and submit my lightning talk proposal!“
- jumbo: bologna
- “He forgot to register for the lunch & learn, so he’s going home to make a fried jumbo sandwich.“
- n’at: and that, and whatnot
- “We were talking about budgets and licensing, n’at.
- nebby: nosey, prying
- “Stop being so nebby about how much she paid for that Pittsburghese tote bag from the Heinz History Center.“
- redd up: clean up
- “Don’t forget to redd up your office before leaving for the conference.“
- slippy: slippery
- “Be careful! Someone spilled their drink, and now the speaker ready room floor is slippy.“
- yinz: the plural you, you all
- “Did yinz register for MLA ’25 yet?”