Today on primalburgher.com we will not be discussing eating smart or training hard. Today, I wanted to discuss a subject I am all to familiar with: Pittsburghese. Over the past year after having written my initial blog post about Pittsburghese, I have had a number of bloggers and even some instructor friends attempt to impress me by their use of Pittsburghese (which is odd but flattering at the same time). Now, I don’t mean to sound unappreciative about these priceless moments of Burghisms, but I just wanted to explain how to properly use the word “yinz” in the correct context. If you are traveling to Pittsburgh (and you all should visit this city! Just saying!) you WILL hear this word used quite often, so it’s imperative to understand how to properly use the word “yinz” when speaking to locals or people such as myself 😉
The word “yinz” is a noun that translates into the word “you”, but “yinz” is the plural form of the noun “you”. With that in mind, “yinz” can only be used when addressing two or more people. I have noticed some of you who have been addressing me online 
through use of the word “yinz”. As an example, I had an instructor say “Yinz were in beast mode since the day you were born” in reference to my hard training program I did for RKC Vienna. Now, the avid Pittsburgher will know that this particular use of the word, though meant for a good purpose, was actually incorrect. Again, “yinz” is the PLURAL FORM of the word “you”. To give you a better understanding of how to use the word “yinz”, pay attention to my catch phrase: Yinz ain’t seen nothing yet! <—Note that here, “yinz” is addressing a larger body of people. I often say this in my blog posts to address the good number of readers that view this website. As you can see then, yinz once again properly showcases the plural form of the word you.
Now that we have that ironed out, I would like to give you all some examples of how to use the word “yinz” in your every day conversations.
What time are yinz coming to the studio for circuit class?
Would any of yinz like to meet up for dinner later?
Have any of yinz tried the new EA Live Foods Variety packs from Beyond Organic?
WHY DON’T YINZ SERVE COFFEE HERE?!?!?!? (note: there is a story behind this particular sentence, but I’ll save that for another blog 🙂 )
I hope this clarifies how to use the word “yinz” for you all. Now that you learned the basics, you can fire away with all the yinz-friendly phrases. I’m looking forward to what you all come up with ! By the way, be sure to get your “Yinz Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” t-shirt from my site by clicking this link!
That’s all I have for you guys today! As always, remember to eat smart, train hard, and enjoy your life! Catch yinz later! 😉
Love Always,
Janelle Pica-RKC
This blog post is dedicated to Hannah Lewis. A great friend, a brilliant writer, and fellow lover of this quirky version of the English language. Thanks for your help with this post!
