Yinz ready for the heatwave this week-end? (Pittsburgh, Washington: neighborhoods, living)

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by nuwaver88

I think what he is saying that when people say "I seen a deer." If that is not bad enough, they say "I done seen a deer" when they really should say " I saw a deer."

My family that came from the mountains of PA would say "I see-ed a deer."

I actually love the colloquialisms of our area. I don't automatically think someone is uneducated if they say yinz. Of course, I have bigger problems than typical Pittsburghese... I use some PA "dutch" words and phrases that throw people.

I will never forget the first time a friend heard my mother yell from the basement for me to "throw me down the soap!" Lots of giggles over that.

It may be all wrong, but that's what we say, because our grandparents said it. To us it's common usage.

However, it dies a little each generation. Ours is probably the last to use the work grinny for chipmunk. My nieces and nephew don't use that. My one sister is on a mission to eradicate any indication of PA from her past. She no longer uses any of the colloquialisms we grew up with -- it's like she's ashamed of them.

But the thing is -- every where you go there is something language wise that is different. And that's not a bad thing -- if we traveled down south and got offered sweet tea we wouldn't look at the Southerner and think what a provincial idiot. So there's no reason to look at a Yinzer and think that either.

Do we have Yinzers that are provincial idiots? Of course we do. But the provinicial idiot is not just in Pennsylvania. Trust me -- I have met California provincial idiots, too. I've met people out here that won't cross a bridge to save their lives. They have no reason to leave San Francisco. Or San Mateo.

I had one coworker whose parents acted like she was moving halfway around the world when she moved from San Mateo to Fremont. We're talking hysteria and tears and GOING AWAY PARTIES over 9 miles of bridge.

And when we asked her to go to Napa with us, she acted like she'd have to take her passport.

So that stuff is everywhere....

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by nuwaver88

It is not heard as much as it used to be. I used it as a kid because my parents, who both grew up in the city and have hi IQs, used it. There was a clash of cultures at Fox Chapel High. The rich kids used to make fun of us middle class kids when we used it. Their parents probably went to private schools or grew up in New York or New England and told them it was not appropriate. The late Myron Cope had a very thick Pittsburgh dialect, and used the word "yinz." He may have been annoying to some people, but he was very intelligent and had a way with words. He used to write for Sports Illustrated before he worked at WTAE. So it is not always uneducated people who use it.

Using the word yinz has nothing to do with intelligence, it's just being lazy. As to Myron, he did it as a gag, much like calling women "girlies". On more than one occasion he would spend time correcting grammar on an article written in the Post or Press.

[bbrian12]

gonna be a perfect weekend!

[bboy36win]

Originally Posted by nuwaver88

I think what he is saying that when people say "I seen a deer." If that is not bad enough, they say "I done seen a deer" when they really should say " I saw a deer."

Exactly.

[Mugatu]

Since this thread has turned into a Pittsburghese lesson, also make sure you drop the "to be" in a sentence. Don't EVER say "the lawn needs to be mowed" or "the car needs to be washed." In Pittsburgh you say "the lawn needs mowed" and "the car needs washed." And the only acceptable phrase to express emotion is "jeez oh man!"

Actually, just listen to these characters --> Yappin Yinzers

[ditchdigger]

As to Myron, he did it as a gag,

That's why I quoted the bit about self deprecation.

I specifically remember using it once, as a child, and Mom pretty much telling me that if she ever heard it again, I'd get my mouth washed out with soap..

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Mugatu

Since this thread has turned into a Pittsburghese lesson, also make sure you drop the "to be" in a sentence.

To be, or not to be: that is the question...

~Shakespeare

[slamont61]

The heavy Pittsburgh accent has been slowly removed from wide-spread usage more from the heavy doses of Television and the over-turn of the area's population. It's now more common to hear those distinct sounds around the inner-city than elsewhere. It may take generations for it to completely disburse.

Yins need to redd-up the dialect there.

[Little Mizz Pittsburgh]

Well, one thing is for sure...I'm sure the PITTSBURGH ZOO will be PACKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKED this week-end. Kennywood doesn't open until the first Saturday in May, and the pools and Sandcastle don't open until June.

[Little Mizz Pittsburgh]

Originally Posted by slamont61

It's now more common to hear those distinct sounds around the inner-city than elsewhere. It may take generations for it to completely disburse.

Life-long North Braddock and Homestead/Munhall residents have THICK Pittsburgh accents. Lordy! I work with a few of them. They kill me sayin' "n at" after everything! And, "warsh" instead of 'WASH'.