Our “All Things Pittsburgh” issue is the perfect time to introduce a new addition to the magazine. “What’s in a Word?” will feature interesting words each month that our readers may not know.
This month we are featuring some interesting words that are unique to Pittsburgh and the language we like to call Pittsburghese. I’m not a native Pittsburgher, but after 23 years, I’ve learned my share of these words and I often catch myself referring to the famous Pittsburgh Steel Mills as “Still Mills.”
Jagoff is a word to describe a jerk. It was the first Pittsburghese I learned after moving here and it has served me well – Don’t be a jagoff; stop blocking my driveway with your truck.
Jeet jet is Pittsburghese for Did you eat yet? Yinz jeet jet or should I fix some chipped chopped ham sandwiches? Yinz is another way to say you all or Y’all and chipped chopped ham refers to processed lunch meat made with ham pieces, trimmings, and seasoned with spices.
Nebby is a word to describe someone being nosy or prying into someone’s business – Stop being so nebby about what’s in my buggy. A Buggy is a shopping cart.
Slippy is the word of choice to describe anything slippery. It’s used constantly during the winter and when it rains – Be careful the sidewalk is slippy.
Redd up means to clean or tidy up. Redd up the house before company comes over.
Gumband is another word for a rubber band. Stop flipping me with that gumband or I’m telling mom!
Source: