Written by Jesse Borne and Wesley Bays

Photos by Jesse Borne

What is Pittsburghese?

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‘Pittsburghese’ is the very unique dialect of Western PA and the greater Pittsburgh area. This strange, but intriguing language’s base is derived originally from Midwestern England. These were the first of the Pittsburgh dads who started the dialect, but the language was also influenced by other European immigrants. Scots, Irish, and Germans flooded into Pittsburgh, and eventually made up a large part of the Pittsburgh area. African Americans also contributed to Pittsburgh’s population, as Pittsburgh played a role in the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. Pittsburgh hosted many other ethnicities that helped form its intriguing dialect, such as Italians, Croatians, Poles, Slovakians, and more, all hailing from parts of Eastern Europe. These European dialects have been forged in the steel mills of Pittsburgh to create a dialect that is synonymous with hard work, great sports, and a love and camaraderie for the city of Pittsburgh. Read through the list of words below to help perfect your ‘Pittsburghese’ accent.

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