How to Speak Philadelphian

How to talk like a Philadelphian by Stu Bykofsky

Stu is a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News
which you would already know if you weren't from out of town.

A few tips from Stu's "Little Black Book"

Philadelphia, like many cities, has its own manner of speech -- how we tawk, if you will.

We gots our awn way aspeakin, and yuze can figger out wot weir sayen, by uzen Stu's pronunciation and translation guide to Philly's langwich:

•Ack A Mee: Acme, a local supermarket.
•Addytood: Attitude.
•Be Yoo Dee Full: Beautiful.
•Bin Dare: I've been there.
•Samson Shtreet: Sansom Street.
•Senner Siddy: Center City.
•Dah Iggles: Philadelphia Eagles.
•Dah Fills: Philadelphia Phillies.
•Dah Fliers: Philadelphia Flyers.
•Dah Semi Sixes: Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers.
•Downashore: The beach (as found along the New Jersey shore).
•Fluffya: Philadelphia.
•Goddago: I have to go.
•Goes: Use in place of "said," as in "He goes, `I'm not feelin' so good.'"
•Guh Head: Yes, you may do that.
•Langwich: Language.
•Jeet Yet?: Have you eaten yet?
•Jeez Take: Cheesesteak.
•King a Presha: King of Prussia.
•Mondee, Twosdee, Whensdee, Thirsty, Frydee, Saradee, Sunny: Days of the week.
•Niceta Meechas: Nice to meet you.
•Nint Shtreet: Ninth Street.
•Sammich: Sandwich.
•Scrapple: Local delicacy made from ground pork products.
•Scappleinecks: Scrapple and eggs.
•Siddy Haw: City Hall.
•Skeeve: Hatred/disgust. (Example: "I skeeve raw scrapple.")
•Skowne On?: What's going on?
•Sow Fluffya: South Philadelphia.
•Sow Shtreet: South Street.
•Trawley: Trolley.
•Wah?: Excuse me, what did you say?
•Weubin?: Where have you been?
•Whachoolookinat?: What are you looking at? (Often a challenge.)
•Yo: Either "hello" or "hey." (Should be used like expensive cologne. Sparingly.)
•Yo Supp. Hello, what is going on?
•Yunner Stan?: Do you understand?
•Yuze (youze, yiz): You people.