The Hub (n.): haven't you noticed; Boston is the center of the universe. Hi ya oh he from the Samui isle!! Read on to learn to talk like the locals or maybe just understand what they're saying to you! This has been a bad aul dose. In Irish and UK slang, a dosser is someone who prefers to relax all day, a lazy person, in simpler terms. Some instruments commonly used for trad music are the fiddle, the flute and the whistle, Uilleann pipes, harp, accordion, banjo, mandolin, and harmonica. And FYI, my ancestors came from Old Ireland. If youre from Dublin, you tend to refer to anyone that lives outside of Dublin as A culchie. "What's the craic" can also be used to say hello to someone meaning "hi, any gossip/how is it going". Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on September 11, 2012: Thanks Daniel, Appreciate your comments! Glad you enjoyed and i appreciate your votes and sharing! Yoke - A word used instead of saying "thing". You can use give it a lash in a heap of different ways. You could refer to someone that's annoying you as 'That yoke over there' or you could also say 'Here, pass me that yoke there on the counter'. A long time ago I was serving a custodial sentence. Voted Up and Sharing, then I'm off to the Jacks! Craic is pronounced crack, and it means general banter or fun. lol Thanks again RC. It all depends on the mood or context of your sentence or idea. To Eat the head off of someone means to get very angry at them. Savage hub for reference, someday I'm makin it to the Pale for a pint of the Black stuff. As each generation comes of age, it adds new and creative slang to the culture. This genre has endured and stands against the hip and modern music genres introduced in Ireland. For example, Its finely stopped pissing down. Stop, I know. For example, Her new fella was here last night. was, and a great painter, but filled with greed and self-loathing. However, it can also be an indication that the person youre speaking to is either 1, uninterested in what youre saying, or 2, has no idea how to respond to what youve just said. Acting the maggot - Acting in a particularly foolish manner. 1. At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely. It's a term that is used to describe the good vibes and atmosphere of a party, night out, or gathering. Theyre unreal. Another one thats fairly tame. Sentence: run down has the bant and gets it off him. Screwball - Unhinged, mad. At the moment, it is the primary language of a mere 72,000 people. Voted Useful, Interesting, and Up. 30 Irish Slang Words Every Visitor Should Learn Before Visiting Ireland, , if you and your friends have a couple of more rounds, the best Irish chant for c, Its not literally black, but you guessed it righta strong pint of this famous, Addressing your darling or Irish sweetheart from Ireland will never be as soft and endearing as the Irish term. Dec. Define neck. Or a bit dodgy. Redneck slang got you a little confused? Thanks from this here lass!! Its okay to feel scarlet if you ever accidentally pour an ale over a handsome, young lad in a pub. Appreciate your interest and comments Elle Bee! Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 29, 2012: Ha!! Theyll tell you the secrets to creating the best garden in the world. It is amazing how us Irish pop up everywhere, happy to hear a community are thriving in Massachusetts!!! The perfect way to take someone who is overly arrogant down a peg or two? What are some words youd use to describe different scents? There's no need to be embarrassed or feel badly about . Yer man is used to describe a man Youll often hear this used when someones describing someone that they dont like, however it can also be used when you dont know someones name. Sure you can find that vacation time, your hubs may suffer though!! It shows on your cheeks. This was one of the most enjoyable posts that Ive written in a while. It might sound derogatory to some, or might be a term of endearment for others. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 25, 2013: Many thanks hope it made some sense to you! Had a good laugh writing and thinking god we speak a lot of rubbish!! 24 Common Irish Sayings and Meanings - The Irish Store We have to go to Clonakilty. The press is the kitchen cupboard where food is stored. Go fetch me a mug, boyo. Stop being a dosser, man! Niall Horan tests his knowledge of Irish slang. You have some neck on ya.' SKINNY MALINK Very Dublin phrase to describe a person of slender features. You'll hear this word in Ireland and Scotland, and slinte 's meaning is "health" in both countries. It all depends on the mood or context of your sentence or idea. Bold. In Irish slang words, if your parents are away for the night, or for a day or two, you go to someones, to have a party or a sleep-over. For example, Dye see yer wan over there with the red hat? I can sense that. I WILL I'D SAY. maybe another part is needed?? Yes, savage is also Irish slang for good. So, I thought giving out was something used globally genuinely. The Ultimate Irish Slang Dictionary for Your St Paddy's Day Toast The word Yoke is used to describe something. Old Irish phrases and their meanings - IrishCentral.com From the messages to jammy, here are some more popular ways of saying things using Irish slang words. theyre not doing what theyre supposed to be doing. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on July 03, 2012: Hi How-to-crafts, Appreciate your comments and sharing! Dressed to the nines : - Don in your Sunday best. With this knowledge at hand, youll find a good way to empathize with their current situation. Hope that helps! 10. They're very funny and fun-loving.I dated a pure Irishman for a couple of years..laughed straight through all 2 years!! Should be framed and in a pub. Here are a few Irish colloquialisms to help you understand the next person you meet from Derry, Dublin, or Donegal. Know more? I use slang ever day. In the guide below, you'll find LOOOOOOOADS of Irish insults and Irish curse words (or 'cuss words', for ye Americans). 3. Now, you have sparked within me an interest and desire to go to Ireland! Faffing means to do something without actually doing anything. Acting the maggot. It can mean fun, going's on or gossip. For example, Hes an awful latchio. Meredith, I really need to go to my brothers wedding. 18 South African Slang Words And Phrases You Should Know - Culture Trip Irishmen and women, with shamrock and four-clover leaves, are fans of good luck. The most comprehensive online dictionary of Irish Slang. meaning leg covering. What a fine way to raise your mugs! Very very drunk! Heres a handful (Ill update this again at a later date as more comments come in). Usually used casually with friends. 3. Lets get out for a dander and get some fresh air. A lesser-known, archaic, but still used term of endearment in some literary referencesit literally means little treasure. The suffix een denotes something diminutive or little in size. Wind yer neck in . A nasty ciotog he. Lets watch? These meanings portray left-hand people as weird outcasts of or Irish society. In a nutshell, give it a lash means to give something a go. You are so right, and I am forever using it! he can ask me bollix if he tinks im gettin into a barney wit him over it the poxbottle, sure ur aulwan kno's wot he's like n all inanyways dya kno worimean pal. 23. Sap. It generally means. :^D What a fun hub. Savage, man, I thought they were sold out. But apart from Irish, beyond the Gaeltacht there's a second tongue many of us are fluent in. The locals like their slang more than most, and deciphering it requires expert supervision. I Voted UP and all the way on this hub. But a chancer is a person who pushes their luck, They are commonly risk-takers or, sometimes, daredevils. Pronounced Ban-jacks-d, this is another one for a person thats heavily overindulged. 12 examples of Irish slang words that you need to know before you come For example, Cmon. Youre lookin fine, lad! Actually, its used to describe anything. For example, Sure look, what can ye do?!. An old Irish slang word used to describe someone thats a chancer. No idea how to describe this one. Craic: popular throughout Ireland - where's the craic, as in where's the fun at. Translation: Keep quiet. Pronounced kware, this word can be used in a variety of ways to mean great, very, and terrific.. May the road rise up to meet you. The thing has gone to shit and I only have it a week. Free burgers. 11. and 12. This is fantastic!! Someone who is driven by anxiousness, waiting for something to occur. Caleb, help me find the jacks in this bar, quickly. If a person is Acting the maggot theyre messing around / dossing i.e. A version of this story ran in 2019; it has been updated for 2023. This is hands-down one of my most-used Irish sayings. When rendered as 'bold' (as in 'gold') it means 'naughty', even 'bad' or 'reprehensible'. A phrase used when a good time goes bad and no fun is had at all. Jim jams - is slang for pyjamas and as a student you'll hear "I think it's time to put on my jim jams and get into bed - I'm exhausted!" - a lot! For example, Please tell me hes called off training. Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on April 23, 2015: Suzanne, this was a real interesting read about the top Irish slang words and their meanings. Thanks . Or yer woman a saying that is heard all over Ireland, sometimes because they simply can't remember the person's name or then again just because. lol Appreciate your incredibly kind words soooo much. The etymology of this fun Irish word remains unknown until today, but when you say something is banjaxed, it means they have been shattered or were broken. For example, I saw you chatting to him for about 4 hours. Now, if youre not familiar with the word Bollox or Bollocks, its slang that refers to a mans testicles. A way to describe a person who is a bit stupid, or at least very annoying. Now. Oh, and "it's bucketing down" comes up semi-regularly in winter (you know, when it actually rains). A few of these I actually wouldn't have even known were slang, because I have used/heard them so much (namely gawked, brutal and mortified). Im starving!. The pubs right in front of our gaff! Thanks a million means Thank you very much. To help you get started, we are sharing with you three types of spoken slang which we believe can help you: Irish slang words; Irish phrases; Irish slang swear words; If you are up for that, then off we go into the lingo. Translation: Embarrassed. Someone thats a waster. This guide will help you understand how these words were formed, and how theyre used in your first or next visit to Ireland. 'Tis only a stepmother would blame you. 31 Irish Slang Terms You Should Know - Mental Floss An Irish blessing - "May the road rise to meet you." From the Gaelic "Go n-iri an bthar leat," which means "may success be with you". Depending on how you use it, boyo (plural: boyos) can refer to a boy or a lad, who is usually younger than the speaker. Gas, when used by the Irish, means funny.. But much stronger. Howve ye been? Wow, what a journey Swords to Peru, my bucket list no.1 stop! In slang nick N-I-C-K is a verb meaning to steal. I use this about 20 times a day. One can say that the English language is deeply ingrained in the blood of Irish people. And whatever end of Paddy's Day you're on, it's always a good time to test them out. Get to know the 17 best Irish phrases - Lingholic It refers to a young Irish girl, or a, is derived from the old Irish Gaelic term. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 24, 2012: Thanks Relationshipc, Appreciate your comments and visit! Cheers for that.. Im giving the word craic its own section, as there are heaps of different ways that it can be used. So in the days of the telegraph and before everyone had phones. Act the maggot is a verb that means to mess around, by behaving foolishly, for example, or by avoiding work. Bang on is generally used as a response and is another bit of Irish slang for good. If you hear someone saying that theyre Going to the jacks or maybe someday someone will ask you Where are the jacks in an Irish bar somewhere in the world, theyre referring to the toilet. Topper; He's a topper = A term of praise usually reserved for the young; He's a great lad. Ill be in their lodging place in two hours. During your trip, if an Irish local or your best friend calls you their, Stems from the more common English term crack. Whats the craic can either be used as a greeting, for example, Ah, Tony. We compiled a list of the cutest nicknames that will inspire you and give grandma some well-deserved recognition. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 26, 2013: Many thanks for visit and comments. Translation: A messer. An Irishman's Diary - The Irish Times Craic - a good time. I'm not slagging you, It's on the top of my list. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 24, 2013: LOL . Or mor ya or mauryah in Irish English, it is a derisive interjection that can be properly translated as, in the UK. For example, He was slagging me, so I gave him a kick in the bollox. Ireland is the only European nation that has the highest percentage of citizens who speak English as their mother tongue or native language at 97.51%. In my last job, I worked in a building with around 250 people from 34 different countries. Interesting! Ah, deadly. because I love the IRISH. It's easy enough to see the words now, but to hear them - that's a whole different story. There are two pronunciations of 'bold', each with a different meaning. It basically means a long time. E's in the Rah. The post on Instagram unearthed a good chunk of Irish slang words that Id never heard of. There are no strangers here, only friends that we have not yet met. Had no idea those words were common in Australia. That man is a shnakey little shitehawk. 2. Mainly when Im speaking to a non-Irish person and I forget that the words Im using actually areslang. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on September 23, 2013: Thanks for the comment! Here, you'll find everything from hike and drive guides to funky places to stay and more! I am so glad you enjoyed this compilation of Irish slang. And now, it is an official slang in the modern Irish scenes. The Middle English word "bigrucchen" meant "to grumble about"; the Irish made "begrudge" a noun. For a little island we talk quite a bit of ?@*? I cant reach my coworkers, and the other tourist guides trailing behind us wont be able to hear us outside the Cave of Maghera. Now, for our American readers when we say dope in Ireland, were not talking about anything dodgy. Ah, another Irish phrase that uses a word thats actually meant to describe something hazardous to describe something brilliant. My gaffer and mums currently staying at Dromoland Castle Hotel in County Clare. Great hub and I enjoyed reading it. Thon - an Irish phrase for any sentence. That gentleman is a member of the terrorist group called Irish Republican Army On jest terroryst z IRA. Slang Is Always Evolving. If you have an Irish expression that you need to be explained, pop it in the comments section below and Ill get back to you. In Ireland, many of us use slang words so often that we forget theyre actually slang, for example, Thanks a million makes absolutely zero sense to non-Irish people (or so my non-Irish friends tell me!). It might sound derogatory to some, or might be a term of endearment for others. For example, Sorry pal can you tell me where the jacks is?!. And it has further connotations: a, is regarded as a strange person, a strange. thing is banjaxed!". Translation: How are you?. 'Mate'- used when conversing with any human being at all, whether you like them or not; it is totally appropriate to use this term even if you don't know them. Kenneth Avery from Hamilton, Alabama on June 28, 2012: @ Susie Q . Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on June 24, 2012: What a great hub! For example, The pub last night was wedged with culchies.. Shes flutered. Seriouslynever met one that I didn't take to immediately! document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Culchie is the term people who live in Dublin use to refer to someone who lives in the rural areas outside the city. A good destination for your Irish escapade. In bits is used when youre describing something or someone thats in a bad way. Specially something rancid, What would be the slang for "let's get drunk?". Thanks for stopping by! UK Only: 028 7173 0331; Int: +44 28 7173 0331; Set Currency: Login (0) Item(s) 0.00; Menu ||| Buy Plot; Accessories; Our Story. Brutal. I can't wait to use some of these ^_^. I'm from Cork and this quiz if fairly accurate but theirs 4 meanings for lash as the creator said "raining heavy "give it a go" and go drinking" but theres lash to hit example: "If you dont cop on you'll get a lash!". When you hear an Irish local saying that you are going in arseways, it means you are going in the wrong direction (A persons arse can be found. On your next hiking or rock-climbing adventure with your buddies, you can use this term however you want. Welcome To Malahide Castle: Walks, History, The Butterfly House + More, A Guide To Howth In Dublin: A Stunning Seaside Village That Packs A Punch. For example, Did you hear Martin and Bernies youngfella was caught cheating in the Garda exam. 1 The press. Feck - Wikipedia Over the course of my time there, I received my fair share of strange looks when I said certain things. I'll have to re-read this to get the full effect of all the phrases! A shorter and a fancier way of asking for an Irish local to have a cup of tea with you at your local tea shop is by asking them, Care for a cup of cha? It means "May God remove obstacles in your journey through life". 4. Jammy - if you are a lucky person you might be described as flukey or jammy. Weather type: Fine. Gamers actually use this term quite a lot, with the same meaning and context. Cailln maith meaning 'good girl' became a way of refering to your girl friend. Its been ages since I last seen ye, boyo. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on October 02, 2012: Like your use of a bit of slang, your are coming on grand and soon you will be suckin diesel me ol' flower! Details Parent Category: Irish Slang Phrases Slang: Fighting Talk. In Irish Gaelic, it's Is do mhac do mhac inni, ach is d'inon d'inon go deo. Locked is just one such term - others include mouldy, ossified, polluted, twisted and langers. Im glad I came across your site. Hash to mess up. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Pity the colour is shite. Looking for some fun Irish slang words and phrases? The ultimate guide to Cockney rhyming slang And we're gonna teach you some English slang. Today, the term is commonly used for hidden bars that provide good music and a variety of drinks. Sleeveen = Sly, calculating person. Stems from the more common English term crack. Voted up! You certainly wouldnt want to hear this from your Irish tour guide at the start of his or her tour! You have no idea how much of this I recognised and I've never been to Ireland! Would an Irish person use the word cheeky?. For example, Feck this, Im not listening to him shiting on for any longer, or That fecker was in here mooching about the place again this morning., Photo by Gardiner Mitchell via Tourism Ireland. Example, "Tara, I'm going to the shop", and . This is one of the most typical Irish slang phrases you can hear from any Irish person. A melodeon is a small organ, so we can imagine a feline walking across one would not sound that great. Thanks so much for input! Translation: A member of the police. Irish Slang Words, Jokes, Funny Irish images, Irish memes, Irish Sayings, Irish Slang Terms, Irish Phrases and more. Slinte! Here are some words I want to leave you that tell you how I describe this hub: AMAZING; THRILLING; PROFESSIONALLY-WRITTEN AND RESEARCHED; DELIGHTFUL; HYPNOTIC and FUN TO READ. Roon - Round. That young lad was in here last night acting the maggot. The slang is much similar to the Irish word ciotach, meaning clumsy. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 19, 2013: Hahaha that was gas! 5. you are very welcome to hear the truth about your amazing writing from me any day. You see that poor painter, begging for scraps? Tom Hardy and Riz Ahmed Teach You British Slang - Vanity Fair Quite possibly Irelands greatest linguistic achievement, this phrase is the perfect way to curse without technically cursing. Hopefully you will get to visit us over this neck of the woods and have a head start in the speech! No matter the color, just mention this to your local Irish bartender, and hell know what to serve. Susan Zutautas from Ontario, Canada on August 23, 2012: What a gas :) Really enjoyed your hub. It is amazing how many of these slang words we use daily here in Dublin lol. It's funny, though: the thing that wrong-footed me when I first arrived in Ireland isn't on this list. A Cool List of Common Irish Slang Terms and their Meanings We use Unreal to describe something that so good its actually hard to believe. Do you know these British insults, slangs and phrases? The word slap means 'limp' in Afrikaans and is a perfect description for the oily potato chips which are larger than French fries. of ourselves! 'Mucker'- an endearing term to describe a friend. Anatomy a. Slap chips [slup chips] is a slang phrase for deep-fried potato chips sold at takeaway seafood shops, grocery stores and restaurants. Jeff Boettner from Tampa, FL on September 29, 2012: Glad I took a gander at this hub Suzie HQ :), I studied the words until I was completely knackered. This isnt slang find out what it means here. If you hear someone refer to a person as a Fine thing, it generally means they find that person attractive. Very interesting and useful as well. Will I, yea?!. Redneck Slang Words | YourDictionary LOL maybe due to the fact us Irish are a wee bit mad at times! The word colleen is derived from the old Irish Gaelic term cailin which means girl or maiden. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on September 27, 2012: Many thanks for reading this! . Although Im from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. Way back, uncut liquor and alcoholic beverages were sold in Ireland in unlicensed bars and clubs in Ireland. Related Reads: Check out our guide to 31 funny Irish jokes and 33 Irish insults and curses that locals use. This term is used for news, gossip, and fun conversations engaged by the locals. For good fortunes and well wishes for Johnny! This is another female-specific word thats reasonably offensive. Check out these 10 Irish slang phrases you'll definitely hear while you're there. Poke - (to poke - to prod) (a poke - a paper bag) Reek - Smell, emit smoke. 22. Think you know your Irish slang? Find thanks to a new book Perfect combinations for an Irish jig! Boyo. Irish English. 24 of 30. For example, Ah for fu*k sake. Speaking of minus craic, "Dryshite" is a term used to refer to someone who is boring and no fun. One you might want to include is Guards. This guide will help you understand how these words were formed, and how theyre used in your first or next visit to Ireland. Don't forget to test your slang street cred and your gift of the gab ability, by taking my small quiz at the end! It could also denote a place where cheap entertainment can be availed. We use it all the time but foreigners would not know it is the slang for our police, Shared on Twitter and voted awesome and useful. The hot press is where the boiler is for the hot water and central heating. Lol appreciate you commenting! However, youll more commonly hear it used in a few different ways: This is another way of describing something thats dirty or thats in a bad way. Vespa Woolf from Peru, South America on June 22, 2012: This is great!! Jo Maxi simply means, In Ireland, if you have to use the toilet, you might need to go to the, Whenever somebody feels embarrassed or flustered, some peoples cheeks turn red or.