Does anyone "red up" the table (inspired by the dinner/supper thread)

[Lisa AF]

My mother has always "red up" the table. (They also have dinner at noon and supper in the evening). When I say this it makes my proper english speaking husband cringe, so I say it frequently. Anyone else say this or know where this phrase came from?

 

[CheshireVal]

I don't even know what it means!!!!!!!

 

[Microcell]

I have never, ever heard that phrase! Do you mean set the table?

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I wonder if it is from PA Dutch or Mennonite? I have heard it, but I'm not sure of the origin.

 

[RitaZ.]

My MIL used to say that all the time. She was from Pittsburgh, I've heard that's where it came from.

 

[CheshireVal]

But what does it MEAN?

 

[Pam]

I'm from just above Pittsburgh - and yes, we do that here!

It means to clear the dishes from the table after you eat.

We also warsch our clothes and swim in the crick.

 

[RitaZ.]

There was also "yins" and "yinselves", film (for the camera) was "filim". DH always thought it was funny.

Pam, she also said "warsh".

 

[Lisa AF]

red up - to clear the dishes and clean the table.
Sorry, forgot that it might be foreign to some.

 

[Lachesis00]

 

[Towncrier]

My wife and her family often "red up" a room. They are originally from the Pittsburgh area as well. Yinz might want to check out www.pittsburghese.com for some other popular Pittsburgh phrases.

 

[monarchsfan16]

We just clear the table. I've never heard "red up the table" before.

 

[piratesmate]

It's my understanding that it is PA Dutch. However, my family didn't use the phrase. I know others from near Lancaster (I'm outside Philly) who use it, but they skip the up. They just "red" the table.

For those who red or red up the table....do you outen the lights & open your bumbershoot when it's spritzing? (Rain, not cookies)

My great-great aunt used to send me to her neighbor's to see if the daughter could come up for dinner when I visited. When I'd get back, Aunt Ada always asked, "Dare she?"

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I saw "breffis" on there and now finally the mystery of my friend is solved!!!
Thanks for the link TC!

 

[Sunfleur]

My family will red the table or the room or anything else that needs cleaning. I'm pretty certain it has its origins in the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect. I know its in my Oxford American Dictionary, but I don't have it with me right now. It's just another PA quirk

 

[Wathel R Bender]

I'm from just south of Pittsburgh and I've never heard of that one.

 

[Pam]

It's just another PA quirk

Hey, I resemble that remark!!



TC - I say and spell it as "youns" not yinz..... Beverly Lynn and I always disagreed about the correct version.

My late FIL would have a fit when I would talk to people on the phone (family owned business) and say "youns" in the conversation.

 

[Sunfleur]

So do I.

Parents from the Johnstown area. Spent a lot of my younger years there, living at my grandparents house with my Mom while my Dad was out to sea.

 

[DoeWDW]

Definitely PA Dutch! You can red up the table or red up a room. It means to clean up.

Piratesmate, you reminded me of my Grandma who used to say things like "I daren't do that". My great grandparents spoke PA Dutch so I guess I get it honest.

When a little kid is crying, they're brutzin'. So many quirks of PA Dutch in the language around here!

By the way, www.slanguage.com is a great site for comparing language oddities from various areas.

 

[Snoopymom]

Used it daily in NE OH where I grew up! Didn't know it was PA Dutch. I stopped using it years ago, got tired of explaining it, lol!