What nebby means
Nosy, prying, or too interested in other people’s business. The Heinz History Center lists nebby among Pittsburghese words with historical roots in the region, and local language guides distinguish it from the related verb neb, meaning to pry into matters that are not your business. The word can describe a person, a question, or behavior that crosses a social boundary by showing too much curiosity.
Origin and local context
Regional histories connect nebby with older Scots-Irish vocabulary that survived in Western Pennsylvania. Like redd up, it illustrates how early settlement language remained in local English while becoming unfamiliar to many speakers elsewhere. Its continued recognition is one reason Pittsburghese has attracted sustained linguistic study.
How it is used
A Pittsburgh speaker might call a neighbor nebby for constantly asking who visited, what was delivered, or what happened next door. The tone can range from playful teasing to real criticism. “Don’t be nebby” is a direct way of telling someone to stop prying.
Example in context
Quit being nebby and let them tell us when they’re ready.
Plain meaning: Stop being nosy and let them share the information when they are ready.
Neutral alternative
If you need wording that works outside the local cultural context, use nosy; prying; overly curious. The local term is more useful when its regional meaning adds information.
Use with context
Nebby describes behavior and can be insulting if aimed directly at someone. It is safer to understand the tone before using it, especially because the word may sound more playful in one family and sharper in another.
Related Pittsburgh language
Explore more Pittsburgh expressions or return to the global dictionary.