13 Phrases That Will Make You Swear Pennsylvanians Have Their Own Language

Most of us Pennsylvanians would likely agree that we live in a pretty diverse state. Our diversity is what makes PA so special, but we also share some commonalities. Take language. Most of us use words and phrases that might confuse those from other states. Here are 13 things people say in Pennsylvania.

*Disclosure: PA is such a diverse place that some of these words/phrases may only be used in one city or section of the state. Share your favorite purely PA words and phrases in the comments below!

1. The laundry needs folded.

The dishes need washed. The bills need paid. Notice anything missing in each of those statements? To be. Although it's not just one phrase, we Pennsylvanians tend to omit the "to be" from our sentences.

2. Rid/red up your room.

Do parents tell their kids to "rid/red" up their room in your corner of PA? How many of us have been told or have told someone else to rid/red up (clean) their sloppy room?

3. The sidewalk is slippy.

Watch out! The sidewalk is slippy! It's been snowing, and the roads are getting slippy. Some of us say slippy instead of slippery. It's a PA thing.

4. Outen the lights.

Time for bed. Outen the lights. The common Pennsylvania phrase simply means to turn out the lights.

5. Yinz/youse/youns/you-ins going out?

PA's a pretty big state. Throughout the state, Pennsylvanians have their very own version of you. Some of those versions include yinz, youse, youns, and you-ins. Any other favorite ways to say you in PA?

6. Stop being so nebby.

Sometimes a stranger's conversation is just too riveting. Or, you really want to hear what someone is saying in another room, so you stick your ear to the wall. (C'mon admit it. We've all done it.) If you're caught in PA, the other person might tell you to stop being so nebby (nosy).

7. Where’s the nearest MAC machine?

The rest of the world might withdraw their money from an ATM machine. But, most of us in PA still ask for the nearest MAC machine when we need cash.

8. Put the sweeper away.

I'm going to sweep the rugs. Put the sweeper away. That's how some of us from PA refer to our vacuum cleaner and what we do with it.

9. Scootch over!

You're intruding on my personal space. Scootch over!

10. Worsh your hair.

Some use the excuse, when asked out, that they can't go because they have to wash their hair. Uh-huh. In PA, we have to worsh our hair. Worsh the car. Worsh the clothes. We worsh, not wash.

11. Darescent do that!

Go ahead. Do something to make one of your elders unhappy. Just don't be surprised when you get scolded with a "darescent do that!"

12. You jagoff!

Don't annoy a Pittsburgher. Don't cut in front of us in traffic, especially without your turn signal on, and don't insult our sports teams. Otherwise, you're likely to hear those two biting words, "you jagoff."

13. Beautiful day, hainna?

PA scores plenty of beautiful days throughout the year. Instead of saying beautiful day, isn't it, some ponder, "beautiful day, hainna?"

These are just some of the things people say in Pennsylvania. What other phrases that are unique to PA would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments! Then check out the 20 words you'll only understand if you're from Pennsylvania.