Pittsburghese Definitions: Yinzer Words, Burgh Slang & Pittsburgh Sayings
Pittsburghese Definitions
Welcome to the ultimate Pittsburghese glossary — a fun guide to classic Yinzer words, Burgh sayings, and Western Pennsylvania slang. If you’ve ever heard someone say “redd up,” “nebby,” “jagoff,” or “slippy,” this page helps explain what Pittsburghers mean and why Pittsburghese is such a big part of local culture.
What is Pittsburghese?
Pittsburghese is the unique dialect and regional slang of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the surrounding Western Pennsylvania area. It blends blue-collar roots, neighborhood pride, old-school expressions, and a way of talking that is instantly recognizable to anyone from the Burgh.
Below is a cleaned-up glossary inspired by a classic Pittsburghese shirt design, plus a few additional common words and expressions that locals know by heart.
Classic Pittsburghese Glossary
Opposite of “in.”
A head scarf used for a bad hair day.
A drinking town with a football problem.
Thinly sliced ham sold only in the Burgh.
Idle conversation.
Opposite of uptahn; downtown.
Rubber band.
A part of the body used to hold a cold Iron.
The beer of champions.
Thorns, burrs, or sticker bushes.
Anyone who annoys or ticks off a Pittsburgher.
“Did you eat yet?” Commonly answered with “No, j’ew?” meaning “No, did you?”
Bologna.
A popular supermarket. Also spelled “Giant Eagle” everywhere else.
“Black and gold,” to name a few.
Nosey to a fault.
The state where friends and memories last a lifetime.
The greatest city in Pensylvania.
A carbonated beverage; soda.
To straighten or clean up an area.
Chipped ham or jumbo between two pieces of Town Talk bread.
The end of town opposite of Wes’liberty; East Liberty.
Slippery.
A tap on a barrel of Iron.
Six-time Super Bowl champs. Also: the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A factory where steel is produced.
Telephone pole.
A helluva cool place; Pittsburgh itself.
The Monongahela River.
The meeting place of Pittsburgh’s three rivers.
To cleanse with soap and water; wash.
“You all” or “you guys” to the east and y’all to the south.
Note: This glossary was cleaned up from a vintage-style shirt image. A few spellings and phrases were normalized for readability while keeping the original Yinzer spirit intact.
More Common Pittsburghese Words to Know
- n’at — Short for “and that,” used to add “and stuff like that.” Example: “We grabbed fries, pop, n’at.”
- crick — Creek.
- buggy — Shopping cart.
- sweeper — Vacuum cleaner.
- hoagie — A sub sandwich, especially in Western PA slang.
- uptahn — Uptown or upper part of town depending on context.
- gumba — Sometimes used casually for a friend or pal in old neighborhood speech.
- neb — To pry or snoop. Related to being nebby.
Pittsburghese FAQ
What does “yinz” mean in Pittsburgh?
“Yinz” is one of the most famous Pittsburgh words. It means “you all” or “you guys” and is one of the strongest markers of Pittsburghese speech.
What does “jagoff” mean?
“Jagoff” is a classic Pittsburgh insult for someone who is rude, annoying, or acting like a total fool. Around Pittsburgh, it is almost a term of art.
What does “redd up” mean?
“Redd up” means to tidy up, straighten up, or clean an area. If your mom told you to redd up your room, you knew exactly what she meant.
What is chipped ham?
Chipped ham is ultra-thin sliced deli ham that is strongly associated with Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. It is a staple in many classic hometown sammitches.
Why is Pittsburghese popular?
Pittsburghese is popular because it reflects Pittsburgh’s identity, neighborhood pride, working-class roots, sports culture, and family traditions. It is part language, part attitude, and all Burgh.
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