If you've ever been to the East Coast of the United States, specifically in Philly and Pittsburgh, there's a good chance you have heard someone ask "Jeet?" as they look at your half-eaten sandwich. While it sounds like a question about your eating habits or dinner plans, "jeet" is actually short for "Did you eat?" We know what you're thinking: ``What kind of language is that?''. Well, my dear reader dive into this article and let us discover more.
The Origins
The earliest known usage of jeeting was during World War II when GIs from Philadelphia would use it among themselves. It gradually became popularized across their station and eventually within everyday social exchanges outside military life. As with many linguistic phenomena originating back then: no one knows for sure how jeeting took off throughout Philly city streets.
One common misconception is that the phrase arose among factory workers who were on lunch break since every minute counted for them. Instead of letting idle time pass one by again resorting to answering small talk questions from coworkers while taking bites out their sandwiches (say cheese)- they made a simple contraction so they could save precious seconds getting lost in lunchroom gossip - hence “Jeet?"
In Pittsburgh (that infamous rival city) namely within blue-collar communities responding quickly to such queries often lead directly into tales about frozen dinners consumed last night before working graveyard shifts (yum!).
"Pittsburghese," (yep, think yinzers) along with Pensylvvanian Dutch influence may have contributed also throughout generations still leaving enough remaining mystery amongst linguists determining the exact reason behind terms' breakout success over regional geography.
Let's Do Some Jeeting Ourselves
Now that we’ve found some insight on where this quirky greeting came from let’s start using immediately ourselves:
- Have breakfast already? Jeet yet?
- Cutting into prime rib at family holiday dinner? Jeet some yet?
- Picking up your takeout order from a fast-food chain on the way home from work. "Great! I'm starving." Your friend in the passenger seat looks over after you toss empty fries bag and asks," Jeet it all?"
And so forth...
Regional Dialects Across Pennsylvania
While Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are stereotypically known as being polar opposites many people wonder, "Do they jeet differently across Pennysylvania just like their sandwiches"? The answer is YES (mind blown). Grab your interactive map, and join us!
The Southeastern Counties:
Besides having great-tasting local water ice , guys throughout Philly/South Jersey area have specific enunciation emphasizing each letter with feeling: “Jeeeat it?” Only three syllables but listen closely to how wording falls off tongue suggesting gorging oneself via visual cues among wider linguistic context.
South Central County:
Harrisburg may be the center of state politics, but it does not jeet like ones working up there. Using both slang words that haven't made it out of mountains or witnessed only within regions closer such as ‘slippy- slope' can conjure curiosity getting questions answered faster.
Western PA Areas - North & South
While collectively classified one 'Western Pennsylvania,' cities including Erie vastly differ linguistically than nearby Latrobe town-Latrobe who lays claim to birthplace of Arnold Palmer, hometown rich with gridiron football tradition continuing cultural heritages through end zone celebrations daring each other while screaming “Idan’s!”
Moreover Northern suburbs close to Ohio are notoriously hard for pronunciation requiring users raised generational dialect pattern understanding; something newbies find challenging experiencing loss upon first encounter until revisiting again eventually mastering influences e.g., say-Washington –yep spoken here: “worschington.”
North Central & East Regions
With varied landscape between vast forests and deeper ravines, depending where you go some zip codes may not recognize “Jeet?” altogether. Others might prompt befuddled expressions if asked why someone in rural environments would care about eating meals only shared over there within metropolitan areas.
Conversely, it's quite apparent that besides shouting “Let's get this dessert on!,” as a soon-to-be-husband tells his groomsmen leading into the reception hall when band announces first dance- one common hymn sang during Appalachian mountain family reunions goes "Judit or Denny yet?" instead of "jeet yet".
Jeeting Etiquette
While many initially assume jeeting is all about dishing up small talk serving size bravado from frequent walks to Aisle three sniffing around for chips enough for an army battalion platoon (ADHD alert) consquently no-etiquette whatsoever - several rules differ than regular table manners taught at momma’s pleasantry sessions:
Rule No1: Check First Before Judging
Often initial response could be dismissing the question while processing what other person says amidst chewing their meal. So respond with something super-genial like," Sorry dude my mouth full" It always works.
Rule No2: Don't Come Off As Judgmental
Suppose someone does not have appetite or fasts due to religious restrictions remaining respectful without any smarmy side-glances after hearing they did not eat anything today-since getting caught judging brings the boomerang right back toward oneself.
Rule No3: Be Creative With Answers (Optional)
When answering questions try spicing them up with vague responses such as," Eats don’t concern me; I feed off energy waves." Spontaneously offering bizarro-denying serious answer proves somewhat more indifferent although detracting focus away immediate finishing third burger patty making sure home burnt crisply.
Rule No4: Adopt Being Vegan If Necessary
Those lucky enough having dietary restrictions can embrace "Jeeting" as opportunity educating non-vegans quickly without being the preached -since they’d often rather not indulge in discussion diversity of a plant-based lifestyle yielding positive environmental impact.
Conclusion
And there you have it! From Harrisburg to Philly, Pittsburgh and beyond; Jeeting has spread throughout Pennsylvania and became part of the regional dialect. While its origin is still uncertain, it's clear that this word will continue to creep its way on our vocabulary forever (at least until we run out of food...).