PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) – According to one man we’re pronouncing our town’s name incorrectly!
Pittsburgh city council heard from a Scottish gentleman Wednesday who promptly told them everyone in Pittsburgh is pronouncing the name wrong.
During the public comment period, Robert Thomson told council Pittsburgh was named by a Scot, General John Forbes, not a German the way it’s pronounced.
“And the spelling is the right Scottish way but you’re pronouncing that German because German for the name for town is burg, B-U-R-G,” said Thomson. “The Scottish name for town is (Pitts-burra)! B-U-R-G-H!”
Pittsburgh, or Pitts-burra, was of course named for William Pitt, an 18th century British leader.
Thompson told KDKA Radio we’re also pronouncing the northern town of Edinboro incorrectly.
“You’re using the English term for town,” said Thompson.
He added it should be spelled Edinburgh and pronounced Edin-Burra.