12 Phrases You’ll Only Understand If You Live in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is where Amish buggies share the road with lifted pickups, soft pretzels are practically a food group, and people from opposite corners of the state are in a constant passive-aggressive rivalry. Whether you’re from Philly, Pittsburgh, or somewhere in between where things just get… rural, Pennsylvanians speak a dialect all their own. If you’ve ever argued over Wawa vs. Sheetz or said “yinz” unironically, this one’s for you.

1. “Youse goin’ dahn to the Stillers game?”

Translation (for non-Yinzers): “Are you heading down to the Steelers game?” Pittsburghese at its finest.

2. “We’re stoppin’ at Wawa.”

Said with the reverence of a pilgrimage. Extra hoagie, light ice in the coffee, please.

3. “We got Sheetz out here.”

Western PA claps back with made-to-order loyalty and gas station pride.

4. “It’s pronounced Lancaster, not LAN-caster.”

If you say it wrong, we know you’re not from around here—and we’ll let you know.

5. “We don’t go to the grocery store, we go to the Giant.”

Not Giant Eagle. Not just “the store.” It’s The Giant. Don’t ask why.

6. “It’s not a sub, it’s a hoagie.”

Unless you’re in Pittsburgh, where it’s a jeet jet sandwich. Either way, it’s delicious.

7. “We had every season today.”

Snow in the morning, sun at noon, tornado watch by dinner. Just your average March.

8. “The Turnpike is robbery.”

Expensive. Always under construction. But you’ll pay it anyway—because there’s no other way.

9. “Youse better bring the folding chairs—it’s parade season.”

Yes, the entire town is going. Yes, there will be tractor floats and kielbasa.

10. “We’re going up the mountains for the weekend.”

Could mean the Poconos. Could mean a deer camp with no plumbing. Bring snacks either way.

11. “That deer came outta nowhere.”

Every insurance adjuster in Pennsylvania has heard this sentence 12 times a day.

12. “Go Birds! Wait—Go Stillers! Wait—who do we root for?”

The state is divided. The sports loyalties are strong. The insults are… creative.

If you read this while sipping Turkey Hill iced tea, dodging potholes, and yelling at PennDOT, congrats—you’re a true Pennsylvanian. If not, just grab a hoagie, argue about gas station food, and survive a winter in boots that were not built for this. You’ll be speaking Keystone in no time, youse guys.

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