Where do we get these sayings?

Sometimes Pennsylvania feels like the center of the universe for folksy sayings, slang, and idioms. When I’m out and about, often times I’ll hear something. The writer in me makes me stand up and take notice.

Oh, you have the yinz and youse comments, meaning “you all. There are other peculiarities like wooder for water. And, of course, the pop versus soda arguments. I’m used to those. Here’s a few of other longer sayings that I heard just this week:

–It’s a dog eat dog world. The phrase “dog-eat-dog world” implies a scenario where individuals are driven by a strong desire to win or be successful. They are willing to employ aggressive tactics to win or achieve their goals. This one got mentioned in a work call with folks from across the globe and everyone on the call got quiet. It was my meeting so I knew I had to jump-in. I explained what I thought the phrase meant. After a few seconds, everyone started laughing. Yikes.

–It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other. It’s used to say that one does not see any real difference between two possible choices. What? I always have to look this one up. Why not just say that the two choices are similar? Why use ten words, when one works just as well?

–Barking up the wrong tree. It’s an idiom that means pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action, often because of incorrect beliefs or assumptions. I’ve heard this one, but I had to look it up to see where it came from. It came about in early 19th century America. When a raccoon took refuge in a tree, the dog would typically bark at the base of the tree until the hunter arrived. If the dog mistakenly barked at the wrong tree, the hunter would waste time and effort, and run the risk of losing the raccoon. Yeah, I’ll skip using this one, but then I can’t say I come across a lot of raccoons in my every day.

–Beating around the bush. To be indirect, and perhaps even reluctant or tricky, in saying or doing something.  I had a boss who would occasionally say this to team members. If they failed to respond fast enough to his questions, he would belt out: “stop beating around the bush. Get to your point.” Of course, his response never made us feel all that great.

–To make a long story short. My father said this one all the time. He used it to explain in a few words what happened, without giving all the details. Of course, his stories usually were even longer.

–It’s all. The literal translation is it’s gone, or it’s all gone. It’s a Central Pennsylvania phrase and one I use all the time. When I say it now without thinking, my wife will look at me waiting for me to finish my thought. When nothing comes, she shakes her head like I’ve lost my marbles.

–Red up. I heard this one throughout my childhood. My mother still lectures me about this one. It means to tidy up or clean up whatever you are doing. “You need to red up your garage Brian. It’s getting messy.”

–Dippy eggs. It’s eggs over easy or sunny-side up. With egg prices still high, I’ll go for the Greek Yogurt or the Oatmeal.

–Lager. For most folks, lager is a beer type like India Pale Ale or Pilsner. In Pennsylvania, if you walk into a bar or restaurant and ask for a lager, nine times out of ten you’re going to get a Yuengling Traditional Lager.  It’s an American lager known for its rich amber color and medium-bodied flavor, made by D. G. Yuengling & Son based in Pottsville. There are other lagers, but its market share is that large.

I’ve heard all of these this week. There’s so many Pittsburgh and Philadelphia influences that I could probably make this a weekly piece. We love our sayings that much. For example, folks in Philadelphia and the surrounding Southeastern Pennsylvania never say they’re “going to the beach.” Instead, they’re “goin down the shore.”

Oh brother. Whatever it’s called, I need a beach trip to make sense of our language!