City Cast Pittsburgh logo
February 18, 2025

How Pittsburgh Got Its ‘H’ Back

City Cast Pittsburgh

How Pittsburgh Got Its ‘H’ Back

00:00:00
View all City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

Most of us know how our city got its name — from the British earl and Prime Minister William Pitt. But the spelling of Pittsburgh is far less straightforward. Over time, we’ve debated, lost, and reclaimed our H. So why was it so complicated to agree on one letter? We’re bringing back a conversation between host Megan Harris and historian and author Virginia Montanez to learn about the basic rules of how we spell things (really), why Pittsburgh was so bad at it (shocking), and how newspapermen and intellectuals made everything worse (¯\_(ツ)_/¯). 

**This episode originally aired July 22, 2024.

Learn more about the sponsors of this February 18th episode:

The Frick Pittsburgh Museums and Gardens

Pittsburgh Marathon - Use code CITYCAST15 for 15% off any event

Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Pittsburgh

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation. Sign up for the newsletter and follow us on social.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
November 11

Pgh Restaurants Are Getting Pricier. Who’s Profiting?

Remember when dining out didn’t feel quite so expensive? Post-Gazette dining critic and City Cast contributor Hal B. Klein has the litera...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 10

Pgh’s (Very) Tight Budget, Bad Driver Roundup & Homegrown Art

Mayor Corey O’Connor just proposed his budget for 2027. The good news: more funding for parks and rec centers. The bad news: our city is...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 9

Snail Mail Group, Silent Book Club & More Cozy Pittsburgh Activities

The days are shorter, temperatures are dropping, and Pittsburgh’s gray skies will soon be making their comeback. But instead of dreading...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 8

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A ‘Rage Room’ That’s Saving a City — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

It’s fall in Pittsburgh, but just this week, cities across the country experienced record-high heat. In Somerville, MA, the city governme...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 6

Fetterman-Proof Senate, Fish Nor Fowl Closure & Page's Ice Cream Truck Crash

The dust has settled after Election Day, and there’s a lot to unpack! Democrats’ big wins have changed the political landscape but nation...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 5

Pittsburgh's Best Thanksgiving Takeout in 2026

Whether you’re hosting a small group, need some backup for a big family, or just want to grab an impressive dish to contribute to the Tha...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 4

Did PA Dems Win a Trifecta?

Pennsylvania Democrats have declared a trifecta, saying they've taken full control of the state House, state Senate, and governor's offic...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 3

What Could Democrats Do With More Control?

It's Election Day, and Pennsylvania Democrats are hoping to win a trifecta for the first time in decades: controlling the state Senate, H...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 2

A Procrastinator's Guide to the 2026 PA Election

Tomorrow is Election Day! If you haven't done your homework yet, host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk are here to guide...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 1

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Who Controls Austin’s Autonomous Vehicles? — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

When you think of Waymo, you might not yet think of Pittsburgh. But you should definitely be thinking of Austin, Texas. State law governi...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art