Sam McCool's New Pittsburghese: How to Speak Like a Pittsburgher

by Sam McCool, Dave Hereth (Illustrator)

This is the first printing with an actual ISBN and Bar Code.

39 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Theo Logos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little book is a humorous guide to local dialect that is both cherished and despised. (In 2014, Gawker’s “America’s Ugliest Accent” tournament declared Pittsburgh’s accent to be worst among 16 pre-selected cities.) This unique, working class dialect, with linguistic roots in Ulster, is mocked by many Burghers, who at the same time take a sly pride in the local speak. To be called a Yinzer (speaker of this dialect) is to be acknowledged as a Burgher with deep, generational roots. Read this book, and maybe yinz can understand them n’at!

[Robbie Bashore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, although I think it was intended primarily for humor, actually helped me on a few occasions. For example, many people of all levels of education will use the word "whenever" when people in other regions might say "when." As in "Whenever I was twelve, I went to Florida" or, even more confusing, "Turn right whenever you come to a Sunoco station." Hmmm...just how many times will I turn? It also helped me realise I need to clarify with someone whether they are talking about "bowel" or "bile." Yes, in Pittsburgh, those words sound alike, and, yes, as a physician I have had to ask for that clarification on a number of occasions!

[Rayroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeet jet yet? If not log of the innernet, you jag-off and read this book, it's real short and you can read it on the T ride to Dahntahn.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-have for those who travel to Pittsburgh.