'Burgh Talk

The first time I met with Cranberry Patch editor , she asked me if I thought Pittsburghers had accents.

Initially, I said no, but I’ve been thinking about it ever since.

I still would say probably not, but I’m hearing little idiosyncrasies now that I didn’t catch before.

Since I’ve been writing out here, I’ve spent a lot of time in council meetings listening to life-long 'Burghers talk—sometimes for hours on end.

I’ve noticed a lot of council members talk about the “cricks” in their borough or township and I had to think twice about it until I realized they were saying creek. It made me chuckle because it’s such a small thing, but one I’m starting to catch on to.

I hear it even more when I visit my sister, who has lived here for about 10 years with her family. Her kids call her “maahm” with kind of that over emphasized “a” like people from Chic-aah-go. And every time my sister and I drive into town she says “daa burgh!”

I love catching those little differences. They add a little cheer to my day.

Now I keep wondering if I have an accent, which, of course you, can’t hear. Still, I’m sure people I talk to regularly pick up on the little differences in my “California accent.”

I’m curious about what the people of Cranberry think. Do you think Pittsburghers have accents? Do you think West Coasters have accents?