Hey, yinz

Forty-four days after I arrived in Pittsburgh, I heard my first non-ironic use of the word  "yinz" in conversation.

It was an exciting moment for me. I've been trying to fully immerse myself in Pittsburgh culture, so I've eaten at Primanti's, walked through the Strip District, watched the Penguins' victory from E. Carson Street and taken in a Pirates game.

I shop at Giant Eagle. I purchased a monthly bus pass. My house has a Pittsburgh john.

But up until yesterday, I had not heard "yinz" used in conversation. People told me I should listen for it, that true Pittsburghers used "yinz" in place of "you guys."

Really, you guys? Once I heard about this strange local tendency, I listened for it everytime I was involved in or overheard conversations, in the office, on the bus or in restaurants.

Forty-four days later, I finally heard it. I was interviewing a woman down near McKeesport, and she said it.

I stopped taking notes and looked up at her, probably smiling more than was appropriate. Hopefully, she didn't notice.

Yinz. Finally.

I thought yinz was the ultimate in Pittsburghese, until I turned to a Pittsburghese-focused Web site. Now there are a lot more phrases I want to hear.

So, for the next month, I'll be listening for:

Church key -- a bottle opener

Dahntahn - Downtown

Zapper -- TV remote control

Oh Mi-laundry -- Oh my gosh

And I'd still like to hear a few more "yinz" usages before I leave.