When “Awhile” Means “In the Meantime”

Greta and Sean in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are discussing whether the term awhile can mean “in the meantime,” as in Let’s go move your car awhile. It’s certainly used that way in many parts of Pennsylvania, reflecting German settlement patterns. The use of awhile in this sense is a direct borrowing from Pennsylvania German alleweil meaning “just now” or “right away.” This is part of a complete episode.