Rob, we're glad you are back and clearly you are an under utilitized resource. Question: When did Croghan come on the scene?? Anyone here descended from Christopher Gist?? There was/is a list devoted to Ulster Scots, run by a guy with a Phd. He said it was probably impossible to tell exactly how the very very Belfast-like Pittsburghese developed because Ulster Scots was influenced by German (Angles lived in Edinburgh and much of the lowlands) just like the Germans live here. I don't think they got 'chipped ham' in Belfast. But when I go there people say "Hmmm I thought WE were the only ones who said that...." a lot. I don't have a problem understanding the English. Ballymena is another problem, though. Durham, England is awful -- I needed a translater. I also met an Ulster cousin who visited Western PA. He rented a car and drove north, apparently to Butler and Beaver, not Pittsburgh...or maybe he was trying to FIND Pittsburgh.... in any case, he said it was so much like home he could not believe it. Only the flag flying on the post offices was different. I think the terraine is most like Tyrone, myself. Pittsburgh is very like Belfast as well (a crusty old industrial town). On the other hand, if you've been to Boston, you've been to Dublin! (except for the donkey carts in the middle of the streets -- my taxi driver almost bagged a donkey on the way to my hotel one trip). Maybe we should start a "Can't afford overseas? Come to Pittsburgh" campaign??? >BTW, not the first time I've heard Arnold described as a pimple - but >the other references weren't to geography. Gee thats surprising as even the drug dealers here are old. We got a Catholic church in Arnold (it was an Italian town). We don't have, within 20 miles a Unitarian church or anything more liberal than a Methodist....well, there is an Episky, but I suspect they are not Vermonters. >I know this is the case because I heard a recent radio ad for the new >store in which they mispronounced 'Tarentum' (TARE-un-tum instead of >Tah-REN-tum). A common mistake for those furriners. I find it hard to believe anyone can mispronounce the name, which shows you that I didn't talk to furriners even when I didn't live here <grin>. Now at least I know how to detect invading VIRginians (no one else ever tries to come here). Well....between no one being able to find the Walmart and their reminding us they are not local and their labor problems, a lot of people refuse to shop at it at all. Maybe Kmart WILL survive. Back to work. Linda Merle ________________________________________________________________ Sent via the WebMail system at mail.fea.net