Pittsburgh Words

Have you ever asked the question "where did that word come from"? Many odd words come from Pittsburgh. Here are some of the most popular.

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Babushka

Definition: A scarf traditionally worn to cover the head.

Text example: "This headpiece is a cross between a babushka and a snood." -From the 1945 New Leader, Richmond, VA

Origin: The exact origin of the word is unknown, but it is originally from the Russian language. It probably came into use in the US in places where Eastern European immigrant women used these scarves.

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Gesundheit

Definition: Used as an expression of goodwill for one who has sneezed.

Text example: "Zur Gesundheit," a good wish addressed by Germans to one who has sneezed." -Century Dictionary Supplement, 1911

Origin: Its language of origin is German; it literally means 'health'.

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Butterbread

Definition: Bread spread with butter.

Text example: 1907: "I only had butterbread and coffee soup," -Betrothal (Martin, 1970)

Origin: The exact origin of this word is unknown, but it appears to come from Pennsylvania German.

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Chipped Ham

Definition: Very thinly sliced ham.

Origin: Isaly's, a local delicatessen, chipped ham on a beef chipper to use for luncheon meat.

Source: Klondikes, Chipped Ham, and Skyscraper Cones: The Story of Isaly's, Brain Butko, (Stackpole Books, 2001)

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Golumpki

Definition: Pigs in a blanket, or stuffed cabbage holishkes.

Text example: "Dishes made with meat ... that everybody around here would know, but that people in other places might not." -Dictionary of American Regional English.

Origin: There are many different variations of this word. They all stem from Eastern European roots: golabki (Polish), holub (Ukranian, Czech), and holep (Yiddish).

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Gumband

Definition: Rubberband

Text example: "When I asked for a gumband they (Georgians) had no idea I was asking for a rubberband."

-1972 Atlanta letters

Origin: The source language is English. 'Gum' is a common alternative for 'rubber', as in 'gum boots' and 'gumshoe'. It is possible that rubberbands were originally sold in the Pittsburgh area under the trade name 'gumband'.

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Halushky

Definition: Dumplings or broad noodles in fried cabbage or onions.

Text example: Fry [cabbage in butter]. Now take the wide noodles [halushki] ..put into fried cabbage. -Randle Cookbooks, 1965.

Origin: The exact origin of the word is unknown, but the source language is Slovak and Carpotho Russian. It was brought to the Pittsburgh area by Eastern European immigrants.

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Hidey-go-seek; hide and seek

Definition: Hide and go seek, a popular children's hiding game.

Origin: The exact origin of these alternate forms of 'hide and go seek' is unknown; they were originally recorded in Pennsylvania and may no longer be in use.

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Hoagie

Definition: Throughout Pennsylvania, a hoagie is submarine sandwich.

Text example: "When my mother was dating, a common thing to do was to go to one of the neighborhood groceries on the south side, in the Italian area, and get a hoagie." -author unknown, Philadelphia, 1937.

Origin: The exact origin of the word is unknown. This word is believed to have originated in Philadelphia.

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Hokey-pokey

Definition: An inexpensive confection, especially flavored ice or ice cream.

Text example: "In Pittsburgh around 1900, we boys bought from the itinerant 'hokey-pokey ice-cream man' a ... confection called a snowball." -quoted in a 1960 dictionary of slang.

Origin: The origin and source language of this word are unknown.

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Hutch; hutch-cupboard

Definition: A chest of drawers. (This word is widely used for a different furniture item; its use for a chest of drawers is limited to an area including Pennsylvania, however.)

Origin: The origin of this word is unknown, but the source language is likely English.

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Jag (as in jag off or jagging around)

Definition: Various forms involving jag have to do with annoying, irritating, teasing, or playing tricks on. To jag someone or jag someone off means to irritate or tease. To jag around means to fool around, goof off. A jagoff is a person who is irritating because of being inept or stupid.

Text example: "I don't know why she keeps jagging me all the time" -Dictionary of American Regional English, 1968.

Origin: The exact origin of this word is unknown, but the source language is probably Scotch-Irish English. "To jag" means to turn sharply.

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Jaggerbush

Definition: A bush with thorns or burrs.

Origin: In British English, a 'jag' is a prickly tendril.

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Jumbo

Definition: Bologna sausage.

Text example: "How do you recognize a Pittsburgher? Where else but here does one serve 'jumbo' (bologna) for lunch?" -New Haven Register, Connecticut, 1978.

Origin: A derivative of 'jumbo' bologna, which was likely originally a trade name.

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Nebby

Definition: Nosy, snoopy, inquisitive. Used as an adjective or noun. Another noun form is "nebnose."

Origin: In British English, the 'neb' is the nose or snout of an animal.

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Pop

Definition: a carbonated soda or soft drink.

Origin: In British English, 'pop' is an effervescent drink, as in ginger pop or soda pop. This form is widespread in the US as well, as an alternative to soda, soft drink, etc.

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Redd up

Definition: To clean up or tidy.

Origin: In Scotch-Irish English, 'to redd' is to clear an area or make it tidy.

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Slippy

Definition: Slippery Origin: The exact origin of this word is unknown, but it is likely Scotch-Irish English. This form of the word 'slippery' is still in use in Belfast.

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Yinz (also spelled Yunz, Younz, etc.)

Definition: You, plural; you guys.

Origin: Scotch-Irish English. Other forms that are also from Scotch-Irish are you'uns (another version of yinz) and y'all (in widespread use in the southern US).