Pittsburghpedia

🏊 A definitive ranking of Pittsburgh’s public pools

I’m delighted to turn things over to a special guest and someone with whom I spend a large portion of my waking (and sleeping) hours. She spent countless hours this summer in Pittsburgh’s public pools to determine which one was the best overall. Along the way, we visited new neighborhoods, spent time with friends and […]

/ September 7, 2022

The Pittsburgh Cookie Table’s history, mystery and etiquette

Ever wondered why there are a dozen cookies per guest at a Pittsburgh wedding? At a Pittsburgh wedding, the cookie table is as important as the first kiss, but finding the true origin of the tradition is as challenging as making the perfect pizzelle. Some say it’s a custom brought to Pittsburgh by immigrants (and […]

/ June 29, 2022

Pittsburghpedia: The Pittsburgh Left’s history and controversy

Know your weird and wonky Pittsburgh terms? This post is part of our Pittsburghpedia series, a handy glossary of words and phrases unique to our city that’ll help you #talklikeyoulivehere. Let’s fill you in. Today’s entry … The Pittsburgh Left. 

/ March 1, 2021

Pittsburghpedia: How the ‘bikelash’ gave us ‘Bike Lane Billy’

What’s in a name? (📸: File photo) Know your weird and wonky Pittsburgh terms? This post is part of our Pittsburghpedia series, a handy glossary of words and phrases unique to our city that’ll help you #talklikeyoulivehere. Let’s fill you in. Today’s entry … Bike Lane Billy  WHAT IS IT? A pejorative nickname referring to […]

/ January 22, 2020

Pittsburghpedia: The Parking Chair’s history, fame, and complicated ethics 

Respect the chair — or don’t. Incline illustration/ photo via Wikimedia Commons Know your weird and wonky Pittsburgh terms? This post is part of our Pittsburghpedia series, a handy glossary of words and phrases unique to our city that’ll help you #talklikeyoulivehere. Let’s fill you in. Today’s entry … The Parking Chair WHAT IS IT? The practice […]

/ November 25, 2019

Pittsburghpedia: The making of “Robotics Row,” coined locally and known globally

Incline illustration. Photo via Wikimedia Commons. Know your weird and wonky Pittsburgh terms? This post is part of our Pittsburghpedia series, a handy glossary of words and phrases unique to our city that’ll help you #talklikeyoulivehere. Let’s fill you in. Today’s entry … Robotics Row WHAT IS IT? A reference to the concentration of technology companies […]

/ October 2, 2019

Pittsburghpedia: “Take Bigelow,” how a ’90s action flick spawned a yinzer meme

‘Take Bigelow.’ Incline illustration, image via YouTube Know your weird and wonky Pittsburgh terms? This post is part of our Pittsburghpedia series, a handy glossary of words and phrases unique to our city that’ll help you #talklikeyoulivehere. Let’s fill you in. Today’s entry … “Take Bigelow” WHAT IS IT? The phrase comes from the 1993 […]

/ August 19, 2019

Pittsburghpedia: What’s the “Ghost Bomber” — and will we ever find it?

Ever heard somebody mention the Ghost Bomber? Here’s what they’re talking about. Incline illustration / image courtesy of Heinz History Center Know your weird and wonky Pittsburgh terms? This post is part of our Pittsburghpedia series, a handy glossary of words and phrases unique to our city that’ll help you #talklikeyoulivehere. Let’s fill you in. […]

/ July 31, 2019

Pittsburghpedia: How Pittsburgh became Hollywood East, a movie-making powerhouse 

Know your weird and wonky Pittsburgh terms? This post is part of our Pittsburghpedia series, a handy glossary of words and phrases unique to our city that’ll help you #talklikeyoulivehere. Let’s fill you in. Today’s entry … Tinseltown East/ Hollywood East WHAT ARE THESE? Nicknames referring to Pittsburgh’s popularity as a location for film and […]

/ July 9, 2019