Western Pennsylvania Lingo, Dialect, and Accent

[michael_atw]

Move to my area half way between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg and you will hear these things everywhere you go.

By the way, they use the word ignernt here too to mean rude.

But the area halfway between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg isn't Western Penna but Central Penna...

 

[jimmy rocket]

But the area halfway between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg isn't Western Penna but Central Penna...

South Central PA represent!

 

[Steveaux]

Well, I grew up in Johnstown. And while the O/P clearly invested a lot of time in compiling the list, I don't see a whole lot of them that are accurate. I'll give you "yuns", "crick", "gum bands", "gob", and maybe a few more. But most of them sound like something that any person who is basically illiterate would say - regardless of geographic location.

+1

As a native of NW Pa., I take exception to the OP's claim. The "unique" words listed are part of what is known as 'Burgh-ese. They are common among people from the Pittsburgh area. Pgh. is located in the SW corner of the Commonwealth. It does not represent the entire western half. Up here, we don't say "you'ns, gum band, gum boots, etc.", and we can properly pronounce words like "house, shower, and sound".

 

[lowendfriend]

I had trouble understanding the right side of the definitions...

Go Stillers!

 

[michael_atw]

Sounds more like the slang they use around Johnstown, PA. The rest of the state isn't that bad, unless you're really out there in the boonies.

My grandpa is from Patton...which is about 30 min north of Johnstown and 20 min NW of Altoona. More than a few of these caught me...but for the most part a lot of those words overflow into my hometown area in SW New York where its rural as well. When I've visited Johnstown and Patton though I can hear the accent pretty good from his relatives. Its the remote Appalachian locations + Irish and German heritage I figure.

 

[michael_atw]

+1

As a native of NW Pa., I take exception to the OP's claim. The "unique" words listed are part of what is known as 'Burgh-ese. They are common among people from the Pittsburgh area. Pgh. is located in the SW corner of the Commonwealth. It does not represent the entire western half. Up here, we don't say "you'ns, gum band, gum boots, etc.", and we can properly pronounce words like "house, shower, and sound".

Where in NW PA? Meadville area? Or Erie?

Even in Pittsburgh, the sheer diversification of the neighborhoods themselves surely created some distinct words within even the city and metro boundaries. Maybe not so much this generation but past generations.

 

[KrisH]

Where in NW PA? Meadville area? Or Erie?

Venango County represent! Although I haven't lived there for severl years, I still have family and friends that live in that area of the state, "Yins" is common, but I've found "yous" to be more typical of the eastern part of the state. My sweetie is agog when I say we need to "red up the house" for company. I always remember my gramma with a gumband around her wrist And after I moved away, it took me a long time to remember that I wasn't going to the store for a "bottle of pop."

 

[Stingray19]

Where in NW PA? Meadville area? Or Erie?
Even in Pittsburgh, the sheer diversification of the neighborhoods themselves surely created some distinct words within even the city and metro boundaries. Maybe not so much this generation but past generations.

I'm not too far from Meadville, Greenville, Mercer, ETC. Mercer is actually right up the road from me.

 

[mccartneyman]

I grew up 35 miles from Pittsburgh and have lived just outside Pittsburgh for the last 40 years. I have never said, "yinz, slippy, worshed, 'n 'at, stillers, dahntahn" or any of the things that supposedly all Pittsburghers say. It's highly regionalized -- almost specific to neighborhoods.

 

[Billnc]

Awesome! I grew up in York, over closer to PennDutch country so we've got more of those sayings.

just remember to outen the lights before you outen the house!

I'm Pennsylvania Dutch, my grandmother is 95 and speaks it. There is of course the old classic "Throw the cow over the fence some hay." Most sentences begin with an "Auch" or "Say nah" My ex is from Altoona and I heard many of OPs phrases. I do miss Shoo Fly pie, wet bottom. You can't get that in the south.

 

[timber22]

I'm from Eastern PA which has it's own language, but I went to Penn State and roomed with people from Johnstown area. Definitely a different language and culture. But, I enjoyed it. Good people.

Go Igles !!!

 

[lowendfriend]

As a Pittsburgher, born and raised, I actually left the Steel City thinking I had no accent.

After a week of people in >>>Worshington, DC<<<<< laughing their a**es off, I started to adjust.

 

[jimmy rocket]

I'm Pennsylvania Dutch, my grandmother is 95 and speaks it. There is of course the old classic "Throw the cow over the fence some hay." Most sentences begin with an "Auch" or "Say nah" My ex is from Altoona and I heard many of OPs phrases. I do miss Shoo Fly pie, wet bottom. You can't get that in the south.

Ahh, those are some phrases I haven't heard in a while!

 

[Zooberwerx]

+1.

Formerly of Connellsville, Bradford, and Grove City.

Riis

 

[Steveaux]

I'm in eastern Crawford County.

 

[michael_atw]

+1

This is a good time, seeing how many people are local to me. Granted, I'm not in PA...but (previous to a non-permanent move to Buffalo) I lived about 5 miles from the PA line. Both of my grandpas were from small coal/oil towns in Central PA.

 

[sirdugh]

My dad's family is from the burgh....you know, not far from the gian-teegle.

I haven't been up there much since my grandma passed. I used to make sure that I left room in my luggage so that I could bring back a jug of Reymer's blend. mmmmmmmmmmm

 

[hailmike]

I find it hilarious to talk to my girlfriend's parents, who are from erie, in pittsburghese. They have no idea what I'm talking about. Go Stillers & Pens!

 

[moon-bass]

I grew up outside of Johnstown, my wife grew up in York. I recognize some of these ...

But of course, go Stillers!

 

[RustyAxe]

"warsh" ... come to the east coast (New London to north of Boston. "After he warshed the cah, he had no ideer whauh he pahked it". The rule is, add an "R" where there is none, and drop it where there is. It's "wicked pissah" ...

And New Hampshire, where "Ya cahn't get theah from heah".