Great hub and I enjoyed reading it. 101 Irish Slang Words Locals Use in 2023 - The Irish Road Trip Lol appreciate you commenting! Sound is probably more frequently used as an affirmative response to something, for example, Ah, sound. You are now a graduate of the Authentic Vacations school of Irish slang. Up to 90: The best Irish words and phrases - The Irish Times On your next, The term is derived from a teenage Irish entertainment show that commonly reported teenage issues. Weather type: Rainy. Tory: Irish: Bandit, from the Irish Tory Island, a noted have for bandits and pirates. "Sleeven" A sleeven is a sly or underhanded person. 'So you were out until all hours last night, show up late for work, took two hours for lunch and now you're leaving early! It is also used as Irish slang meaning "throw" (e.g. Voting up and useful..thank you for sharing :). Yoke more or less means 'thing' but it's use and meaning can very ambiguous. 70+ Irish Slang Words and Phrases That Are Great Craic Appreciate greatly you reading and bringing your experience to light, great comment, i love it! Thanks Made, I had fun writing this one!Hopefully it gives a brief intro into the popular words visitors will hear and not run a mile!! Top 20 mad Northern Irish phrases that only make sense to locals Top 25 Irish PHRASES & SLANG WORDS used in daily life There are two pronunciations of 'bold', each with a different meaning. Voted up and across. No matter the color, just mention this to your local Irish bartender, and hell know what to serve. A good destination for your Irish escapade. Perfect combinations for an Irish jig! Their accent didn't help one bit - especially after a few drinks. The word lethal is mainly used in northwestern Ireland and means great. You can also abbreviate lethal into leefs. You made a hames in and out of our hotel room! Arriving in Ireland, you may be forgiven for thinking you have been hoodwinked, cajoled, led up the garden path, or just plain misinformed as to the language widely spoken here. Youre lookin fine, lad! A more endearing term for the word idiot or fool is the Irish slang eejit. Usually used casually with friends. LOL It's funny that you mention dating an Irishman. For example, He had a bag of skittles and three bottles of Coke an hour ago hes been up to high doh ever since. With this knowledge at hand, youll find a good way to empathize with their current situation. Translation: A walk. According to Ireland Calling, its most likely short for the phrase cat on a melodeon. You certainly wouldnt want to hear this from your Irish tour guide at the start of his or her tour! Mot is an Irish slang word for 'girlfriend'. I'm steamin' - you might hear this at the pub. A good destination for your Irish escapade. Brought dessert and everything. 1 The press. Talk about a dope. Thanks very much for your comments, much appreciated this part of the globe! 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. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 24, 2012: Thanks Relationshipc, Appreciate your comments and visit! In terms of direction, this term is not a bit offensive and is actually quite useful. This is fantastic!! Craic - A word with a few meanings. Bang on is generally used as a response and is another bit of Irish slang for good. Translation: Excited. I met a local once at a pub during our extended trip in County Donegal, and he kept complaining about his lifes begrudgery, and how he never has luck wherever he goes. 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. Try these handy Irish phrases to fit right in: " Stop acting the maggot " - Acting in a foolish manner. 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!). For example, I saw you chatting to him for about 4 hours. British Insults, Slang & Phrases: The Ultimate Guide - englandexplore Thon simply means "the" or "those" in a sentence and can be used to describe pretty much anything. Wise up ill set . lemonkerdz from LIMA, PERU on November 06, 2012: man i loved this article, my family came from Swords in ireland, although i have never been, but it was amazing to read a lot of expressions that me and my brothers use are in your irish slang words..and the others.well we learned them from watching "Father Ted" bless him, he opened up ireland to the world. Like very sorry? I could understand words like Banjaxxed and Poxy causing hassle, but I couldnt get over that Giving out didnt make sense. Irish Slang Terms You Need To Know - Culture Trip I am so glad you enjoyed this compilation of Irish slang. Cheese on your chin : - Your fly is open. If its lashing rain, you may want to just stay inside. To have a shot of something means to try it out. A couple of trad music sessions are commonly found in local pubs and public areas around Ireland. Nice work :). What does "Nick" mean in British slang? - The Slang Podcast No one is quite sure where the phrase originated, but theories abound: One has it that the phrase originated with the Christy Moore song The Craic Is Ninety in the Isle of Man, while others believe the 90 represents speed. Yoke. Like a pulled piece of cloth from a tenterhook, one can imagine the stretched agitation of a person on tenterhooks. Irish Slang Words and Phrases: A Local's Guide 2020 - Tandem Now, if youre not familiar with the word Bollox or Bollocks, its slang that refers to a mans testicles. See, if someone's crazy, they're a nutter. It might sound derogatory to some, or might be a term of endearment for others. You tend to hear a lot of mad Irish slang words when people greet each other. I heard off Noley that you were in getting the haemorrhoids sorted?! It might sound derogatory to some, or might be a term of endearment for others. Wind yer neck in . Jammy - if you are a lucky person you might be described as flukey or jammy. So, this is a pretty insulting bit of slang thats female-specific. Rattletrap. Based on recent reports, about 99% of the Irish people actually use English than the Irish . It is amazing how many of these slang words we use daily here in Dublin lol. Ill be in their lodging place in two hours. You can use give it a lash in a heap of different ways. (Derogatory). For example, Its finely stopped pissing down. Stop, I know. But a chancer is a person who pushes their luck, They are commonly risk-takers or, sometimes, daredevils. . neck: [noun] the part of an animal that connects the head with the body. It's funny, though: the thing that wrong-footed me when I first arrived in Ireland isn't on this list. @ !!!! This is another one for describing someone thats stupid. The selected samples of fruit and vegetables . Ya see i'm in a play and i really need to know what to do. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 06, 2012: Welcome! 24 Common Irish Sayings and Meanings - The Irish Store Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 24, 2012: Delighted it gave laughter to start the day, billybuc!! neck synonyms, neck pronunciation, neck translation, English dictionary definition of neck. This was one of the most enjoyable posts that Ive written in a while. This is another female-specific word thats reasonably offensive. But much stronger. Boxin' the fox : - Robbing an orchard. But dont be too proud when someone calls you by this term. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the drunken Irish stereotype, there are several different words in Irish slang that all mean drunk. "Jaysis, it's quare warm today isn't it?". Making a hames in Irish slang is equivalent to making a mess in US English slang. This one is usually used the morning after a heavy session when youre explaining why your heads is thumping. A life making mistakes is not only more honourable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing at all. Piece - A sandwich. For travelers, if your good friends call you boyo, it might be a term of endearment. So many cultures adopt their own language as if in code it seems! Thanks for sharing and passing this on. Ah, deadly. Stems from the more common English term crack. Voted Useful, Interesting, and Up. These Irish slang words can range from tame to offensive, so use with caution. Always have wanted to see Ireland now I can practice up on the slang. Bookmarked it. Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on September 14, 2012: Great information Suzie HQ. You coming out for a few pints later?!. No one is entirely sure of its origins, but its most probable origination is from the slang to doze-off, meaning to sleep for a short time, or take a nap. You're ready to book the Ireland trip of your dreams and talk like a local. Shes bang on or I had the bike fixed down in Riordains yard last week. Here, I have highlighted the most commonly heard words, their meanings, and provided examples of how they are used in everyday speech. There are hundreds of slang I could use but had to limit this list somewhere! The only way you got those types of correspondences was to get them from the post office which would normally be in your local shop (in rural areas anyway). May the Irish hills caress you. In Ireland, for some bizarre reason, we describe the shopping or the groceries as the messages. I use this about 20 times a day. An Irishman's Diary - The Irish Times For example, Ah, man, the heads bouncing off of me. Jammy basically means lucky. It shows on your cheeks. We had a wonderful time and although we didn't always understand we had fun trying. One you might want to include is Guards. I Voted UP and all the way on this hub. While it might be confusing, yes means hello. Craic is an Irish word that can be translated to mean "fun," "enjoyment," or "good times.". Although Im from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. Funny reading that as I have taught Irish slang to students abroad :). Tenterhooks are hooks used to fasten cloth, either on a wall or a frame, for drying. 19. Here is a guide to the most popular Irish Slang words used today in everyday speech. If youre chatting to someone and they reply with Sure look it tends to mean it is what it is. For a little island we talk quite a bit of ?@*? The answer key is below. Top 80 Irish Slang Words: The Gift of the Gab - Owlcation Great Hub! Here are 20 Northern Irish phrases and what they mean in plain English. 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). 30 Old (and Useful) Slang Names for Parts of the Body Pronounced wayne, this word means child.. Im a pure irish woman, born and raised ,im surprised ,ive heard all of these but the most common ive heard are ,acting the maggot ,craic, ejit ,black stuff ,eff off ,feck off, and lots more . For example, Theres your change. Have to bookmark it as I do plan on making it over to Ireland one of these years. Since before time, we Irish have managed to invent our very own slang words and phrases to unleash on all unfamiliar with the lingo! Hang on there for a second and Ill leg it over to you now!. For example, The smell off those runners. Hes a bleedin melter.. However this word nick is very tricky, as it is used for many things in both formal and British slang. Can't Never Could. Some I know already so I guess they've been taken on as British or slid over the Irish Sea. The word colleen is derived from the old Irish Gaelic term cailin which means girl or maiden. For example, Ah well! Details Parent Category: Irish Slang Phrases Slang: Fighting Talk. Feck is a polite way of saying f*ck. 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 behind). I can sense that. I said like alllllllllll of these to people I know and they were soooooooooo confused. For example, Story horse?! Amadan - Generally refers to a fool or a buffoon. Its a good day for drying. Pronounced Ban-jacks-d, this is another one for a person thats heavily overindulged. 19. LOL maybe due to the fact us Irish are a wee bit mad at times! As long as it didn't put you off visiting our wee Emerald Isle! Example: "I'd rather stay for another round, but I have to crack on.". Sap. 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%. This is one of the most typical Irish slang phrases you can hear from any Irish person. 3. Eighteenth- and 19th-century Scottish and English schoolboy slang ("sapskull", "saphead") that the Irish took and shortened. Derived from the Irish Gaelic word brog, a shoe, or from Old Norse, broc, meaning leg covering. It is my storeen. 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! In Ireland, dope is another way of describing someone stupid. Donkeys years is used to describe a long passing of time. (no correlation to the collie, Lassie, on TV), just waited to say that word. And I made perfect score too. For example, Gway out of that with your umbrella. Fergus, my lad! Will I, yea? Appreciate your comment! On your trip to a nearby pub in Ireland, you might hear most young Irishmen refer to their fathers as their gaffer. Appreciate your reading,votes and sharing! Pronounced kware, this word can be used in a variety of ways to mean great, very, and terrific.. To Lob the gob means to kiss someone. .OMG, how did that one escape me? Related Reads: Check out our guide to 31 funny Irish jokes and 33 Irish insults and curses that locals use. For example,Their kitchen is manky. I heard the waves are great at Inchydoney Beach, honey. In his great dictionary of slang, Eric Partridge traced the origins of "hard neck" - meaning "extreme impudence" - to about 1870, and attributed it to two groups of people: "Anglo-Irish" and . Stop being a dosser, man! Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on July 01, 2012: Hi annart, Thanks so much for reading and voting, appreciate your comments! Hes from Malahide, but hes dead on. For example, Your Michael is a little hallion. Savage hub for reference, someday I'm makin it to the Pale for a pint of the Black stuff. 'Our kid'- strictly reserved for close family, or friends who are like family, age does not come into it. Irish Slang Word #22: Deadly or Savage What it means: A more extreme way of saying awesome in Irish slang is deadly or savage. Thanks from this here lass!! Take it from this Irishwoman though: you shouldn't go around Dublin calling people "eejits" anytime soon. For example, Hes only a goon that lad. Dryshite. on June 23, 2012: A great idea to put together a hub on slangs. What "Slinte" Means and How to Pronounce This Irish Word I have a question: what does sleane mean in closing a letter? Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 28, 2012: Thought there was a hint of the 'ol Irish charm there!! For example, He was slagging me, so I gave him a kick in the bollox. Ill never forget my stay in Ireland. Mary Strain from The Shire on August 23, 2012: Loved this! For example, Mam cooked some dinner for you. Hopefully you will get to visit us over this neck of the woods and have a head start in the speech! Had fun reading all the slang words, some familiar, some not so. However, youll also hear people describing someone as Sound when theyre giving that person their approval, for example, That chap from around the corner fixed the engine. For example, Got food from that Indian place. Minus craic is the polar opposite to Having the craic and is used to describe a situation when there was absolutely zero fun being had. When you feel scarlet in Ireland, you feel embarrassed or mortified over something. Translation: How are you?. 400+ people commented and the guide below was born. Example: 'Thon shoes would look . Essential Irish Slang Everyone Should Know - Claddagh Design Today, the term is commonly used for hidden bars that provide good music and a variety of drinks. I cant reach my coworkers, and the other tourist guides trailing behind us wont be able to hear us outside the Cave of Maghera. The word 'gas' is Irish slang for funny. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Roon - Round. Redneck slang got you a little confused? Voted up! Cheers Brett.Tesol!! Check out these 10 Irish slang phrases you'll definitely hear while you're there. It's easy enough to see the words now, but to hear them - that's a whole different story. Now, for our American readers when we say dope in Ireland, were not talking about anything dodgy. Specially something rancid, What would be the slang for "let's get drunk?". as in put the kettle on and we'll have a wee cup of tea. A way to describe a person who is a bit stupid, or at least very annoying. So, it does your nut in, doin' my nut in . For example, The hostel were staying in as a kip and a half!. , and more often used by Irish, Scottish, and English teenagers and young adults. Also common slang term for a member of Canada's Conservative party. It's baltic - commonly heard in winter. Lina, please order a chicken salad with some Tayto for me. Lets get moving! It's for a poem and I can just see the look on people's faces in the workshop. gwan oura dat ye bleedin' mad ting. It basically means be quiet!. Its worth noting that when someone says that theyre grand, they may not necessarily be so. The verb "nick" can be traced back to the late 16th century meaning trick or cheat. I wish I'd had your list before we traveled to Ireland in 2010. 33 Irish Insults and Curses LOCALS Use (2023) - The Irish Road Trip Someone thats a waster. Scundered/scunnered - different meanings depending on your location. Translation: Dirty. LOL. 'Mucker'- an endearing term to describe a friend. LOL Glad you enjoyed this insight into us Irish a wee bit!! You see that poor painter, begging for scraps? There you have it. If you ever get lost in a familiar neighborhood in Ireland, dont be too offended when your Irish friend calls you an eejit. Thanks a million means Thank you very much. Youre looking well!, For example, Ah, Kayla. 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. For example, All them lads do is sit in and play the Xbox. It would make you jump up and never come down again! On your next trip to Ireland, you might want to avoid it. Details Parent Category: Irish Slang Phrases Slang: Fighting Talk. Here's hoping you will get to use here soon!! For example, WHY did I have the second bottle of wine. And so is the jacks. !lol Appreciate your support and comments! You have no idea how much of this I recognised and I've never been to Ireland! But be wary if a stranger addresses you with this term at the middle of the night. LOL Glad you enjoyed, appreciate your continued support and votes:-). For example, Ah for fu*k sake. Wind yer neck in . In a nutshell, give it a lash means to give something a go. We use the word deadly in Ireland to describe something thats good or great, for example, That new pub on the corner is deaaaaadly! or Did you hear I got the job in the chipper? Ah no. The jammy hoor!. The word Yoke is used to describe something. Over the course of my time there, I received my fair share of strange looks when I said certain things. 100%! 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. Scrumptious! It was a fun hub to write and laughs all the way!! Feck - Wikipedia A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Other craic terms include good craic, mighty craic, deadly craic, and whats the craic, meaning how are you?. 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!". Appreciate your input and votes!! The craic was 90. An exam you take when you are 10/11 to determine which secondary school you will go to Egzamin dla 11-latkw. Thanks again for commenting, it is much appreciated! With all the different slang and the different accents going on it makes for a very crazy world of language! To keep it going, and to make this guide as helpful as possible, Im going to offer myself as an Irish slang translator. Ive no idea, but its a bit of Irish slang that Ive heard all my life. A version of this story ran in 2019; it has been updated for 2023. HEY. The slang is much similar to the Irish word ciotach, meaning clumsy. 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. nice wan yea, cyerafter. Looking forward to reading more. On your next Irish trip, you might hear quite a few locals complaining about their state of. Youre lookin fine, lad! For example, I need a barrel of soudafed. Irish Slang Words, Jokes, Funny Irish images, Irish memes, Irish Sayings, Irish Slang Terms, Irish Phrases and more. Its pissing down out there., Weather type: Rainey. 11. and 12. Its been ages since I last seen ye, boyo. (Term of endearment). Irishmen and women, with shamrock and four-clover leaves, are fans of good luck. Whats the craic can either be used as a greeting, for example, Ah, Tony. Mike Licht NotionsCapital.com,CC-BY-2.0, via flickr. It was some Ogeous handling. Or is that just a clich?! Youll generally hear people use this when describing how long its been since theyve seen someone, or how long its been since theyve done something.