The G20 Summit - How to Speak Pittsburghese

Since President Obama announced that Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania would host the September G 20 Summit, a huge world leader meet-and-greet where they discuss the economic pulse of the world, all eyes have been on the Steel City. Or is that the Still City? If you are a world leader who has never visited the charming city at the apex of three rivers; take note, Pittsburgh residents do have a few colloquial quirks you may wish to learn before you go.

Dahn-tahn-
When you arrive at the airport, retrieve your luggage and hop into the back seat of a taxi, don't panic if the cabbie asks, "Are you going dahn-tahn?" Just say "Yes," but only if you want to go to Downtown Pittsburgh.

Still Building-
If you weren't around before the seventies, you may not know Pittsburgh as a steel industry giant. (Think Pittsburgh Steelers) Invariably someone will mention that the city is still the home of the "Still giant," US Steel; and they may point out the Still Building as you pass by. You probably get it by now. Still = Steel.

Gum Bands-
If you're sitting in the G20 Summit with a stack of papers and need something to bundle them all together, when someone offers to bring you a gum band, just smile and say thank you. Don't bother pointing out that the rest of the America, even the boxes they come in, clearly believe they are rubber bands. They won't hear you.

Jumbo -
Perhaps you will rent a suite while you're in Pittsburgh, you know the kind of hotel room with its own little kitchen? To keep restaurant meals from inflating your G20 Summit expense account, you'll want to stock your refrigerator with simple foods, like bread and milk and jumbo. Jumbo? In the Steel City a traditional grocer will sell you bologna if you ask for it, but they will be thinking 'jumbo.'

Terrible Towel-
If you are a football fan (in Pittsburgh everybody is a football fan) you may already know about the Terrible Towel. That's a towel with a Steeler (Stiller) logo on it. People wave them at games, which you may have already seen a time or two on television.

Unless there's a game during the week of the G20 Summit, you may not actually see a terrible towel while you're in Pittsburgh; although many locals may have one hidden in their brief case or purse. Whether you see one or not, if you overhear someone mention a terrible towel, at least you'll know what they're talking about.

The Parkway-
As you enter Pittsburgh, assuming you don't travel to the G20 Summit by barge on one of the three rivers, you will probably take The Parkway, which is actually three different highways and a bit confusing. The first takes you through the Fort Pitt Tunnel, an access-way which cuts through a hill and offers up a dramatic view of the Pittsburgh skyline as you exit to the city. That tunnel is part of the west segment of "The Parkway," also known as 1-376 West or Route 22/30.

The east section of "The Parkway" is also known as I-376 East and takes you to the other side of the city. It was once the Penn-Lincoln Parkway but they dropped that designation long ago, perhaps because people ignored the Penn-Lincoln part anyway, and chose to call it simply "The Parkway." I-279 is the North part of The Parkway.

Of course, you're not likely to see a sign that says "The Parkway," but that's what Pittsburghers call it. Just remember, if someone tells you to to take "The Parkway," look for a sign that says I-376 East or West, Rt 22/30 or I-279. And if you arrive during rush hour be prepared for bumper to bumper traffic

This glossary should get you through your initial day in Pittsburgh without having to say huh?.or what? more than a time or two. Of course you may hear a few more terms you don't recognize, but that can be part of your overall Pittsburgh, G20 Summit adventure.