For example, Did you see what she posted on Facebook?! Now, if youre not familiar with the word Bollox or Bollocks, its slang that refers to a mans testicles. 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. I use slang ever day. Glad you found hilarious! This has been a bad aul dose. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. A more endearing term for the word idiot or fool is the Irish slang eejit. Our GPSs gone arseways. There are two pronunciations of 'bold', each with a different meaning. The most comprehensive online dictionary of Irish Slang. Usually used casually with friends. Very interesting and useful as well. Look forward to catching more of your insightful writing!:). At the moment, it is the primary language of a mere 72,000 people. thing is banjaxed!". An old Irish slang word used to describe someone thats a chancer. For example, WHY did I have the second bottle of wine. I loved this. A short, or wee (see above), walk. So, it does your nut in, doin' my nut in . Here the top 80 most used Irish slang phrases. For example, That car needs a good clean. For example, Mrs. For example, Hes a cute hoor that fella, always manages to get a free ticket to the concerts in the Phoenix Park. But dont be too proud when someone calls you by this term. It commonly refers to chips or other potato-based finger foods. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 19, 2012: Thanks anginwu, your a good student of Irish slang then!!! The second use of this Irish phrase is used when you want someone to listen to you, for example, Cmere to me for a minute and Ill tell ya. E's in the Rah. of ourselves! Its pissing down out there., Weather type: Rainey. It was a fun hub to write and laughs all the way!! You can use this word to say something is bad or awful. 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. On your trip to a nearby pub in Ireland, you might hear most young Irishmen refer to their fathers as their, National Flag of Ireland: History and Symbolism, My gaffer and mums currently staying at Dromoland Castle Hotel in, Annie and Agatha took a gander at the glassed jar that contained the, Gamers actually use this term quite a lot, with the same meaning and context. Positive thinking, Southern style. Im glad I came across your site. I heard the waves are great at Inchydoney Beach, honey. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on September 23, 2013: Thanks for the comment! Yoke more or less means 'thing' but it's use and meaning can very ambiguous. You tend to hear a lot of mad Irish slang words when people greet each other. Stop being a dosser, man! For example, It was a serious night last night, but I was off my head and ordered 7 bags of chips on the way home. This word is used as a verb and it means to make a joke at someone elses expense. Grand means OK. Youll hear it most commonly used as a response to, Hows it going/How are you feeling?/How are you today?. I was mouldy drunk last night. Here, you'll find everything from hike and drive guides to funky places to stay and more! It's a term that is used to describe the good vibes and atmosphere of a party, night out, or gathering. The only people that I know who use these words to describe drunkenness are friends from Drogheda. Irishmen and women, with shamrock and four-clover leaves, are fans of good luck. it might be a term of endearment. One can say that the English language is deeply ingrained in the blood of. I havent heard this one used much lately. Scrumptious! Slap chips [slup chips] is a slang phrase for deep-fried potato chips sold at takeaway seafood shops, grocery stores and restaurants. Yes, savage is also Irish slang for good. 2. So, I thought giving out was something used globally genuinely. meaning loud, bragging conversation. Glad you found it interesting and came upon words you recognised. Acting the maggot - Acting in a particularly foolish manner. So many cultures adopt their own language as if in code it seems! Voted up and shared! The Middle English word "bigrucchen" meant "to grumble about"; the Irish made "begrudge" a noun. 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). A life making mistakes is not only more honourable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing at all. Appreciate your reading,votes and sharing! Its a good day for drying. But a chancer is a person who pushes their luck, They are commonly risk-takers or, sometimes, daredevils. Then I ended up third in line and heard the woman behind the counter ask everyone if they were okay, and I realized that "Are you okay?" Slagging means to make fun of. Offensive: Youre only a bollox. I heard off Noley that you were in getting the haemorrhoids sorted?! I spent a lot of time nodding and smiling, and then admitting I had no idea what they were talking about. I am so glad you enjoyed this compilation of Irish slang. Irish slang can differ depending on what part of the island a person is from, but most of these phrases can be found throughout. Roon - Round. Can't Never Could. Riddy - A red face, embarrassed. If Americans have fries, and English people from the UK have chips, in Ireland, you might want to order a tayto as a side dish. Sound is probably more frequently used as an affirmative response to something, for example, Ah, sound. Hope that helps! I wish I'd had your list before we traveled to Ireland in 2010. Cheers for that.. The word gas is Irish slang for funny. What a tool!. I hear things like "deadly", "donkey's years", "fella", "knackered", "we legged it outta there", "mortified", "we went to the pictures" and so on on an almost daily basis, just to name a few. "Jaysis, it's quare warm today isn't it?". Hard neck this means cheek. We have to go to Clonakilty. Annie and Agatha took a gander at the glassed jar that contained thering of the late Pope John Paul II. When it comes to A shot, you could say, Gimme a shot of that kettle there. LOL It's funny that you mention dating an Irishman. It would make you jump up and never come down again! Sample Usage: Whoo! The locals like their slang more than most, and deciphering it requires expert supervision. Banjaxed - Not working or broken. Craic is pronounced crack, and it means general banter or fun. The perfect way to take someone who is overly arrogant down a peg or two? Way back, uncut liquor and alcoholic beverages were sold in Ireland in unlicensed bars and clubs in Ireland. I'm steamin' - you might hear this at the pub. The word 'gas' is Irish slang for funny. I was chatting to a friend from London recently over pints about the Irish phrases and slang words that he couldnt get his head around when he first moved to Ireland. That basically means that you did something EXTREMELY embarrassing and should probably be disowned. :) If only I could find some vacation time :). So, the next time your Irish friend cancels your much-needed Irish vacation plans because of a stomach-ache, you can say mor ya. Wind yer neck in . Its worth noting that when someone says that theyre grand, they may not necessarily be so. Although Im from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 24, 2012: Delighted it gave laughter to start the day, billybuc!! Interesting on it being close to Essex slang, that's a new one . The part of the body joining the head to the shoulders or trunk. Now, for you Americans reading, when we say Craic in Ireland were not referring to something that you smoke on a street corner, nor are we referring to the crack in your arse. A great fun hub, really well put together, great stuff, well done, thanks for sharing, voted up, Lee. On your next, The term is derived from a teenage Irish entertainment show that commonly reported teenage issues. For example, Shes up there giving out to Tony about something. For example,Their kitchen is manky. Sure its only spitting. As a nation we're all aware we have a language of our own. For example, Martinas youngwan was in working with us for a few days last week.. For example, He used cooking oil on the lettuce thinking it was salad dressing what an eejit. Your "oul fella" and your "oul wan" These terms refer to your father and your mother respectively. 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%. Example: 'Stop faffin' and do some work.'. A more extreme way of saying awesome in Irish slang is deadly or savage. My father has a brogue Yorkshire accent that he couldnt seem to get rid of; despite his three-decade stay in London, he sounds like a native York. Hes a bleedin melter.. On your next hiking or rock-climbing adventure with your buddies, you can use this term however you want. Dec. For example, The hostel were staying in as a kip and a half!. Originally, the word was spelled crack when it was used by Ulster Scots; the Gaelic spelling wasnt widely used in Ireland until it was popularized as the catchphrase in the Irish-language TV show SBB ina Shu starting in the 1970s. Our list of 101 words and phrases that will have you speaking the lingo as if you were born in England . That man is a shnakey little shitehawk. The craic was 90. Appreciate your interest and comments Elle Bee! 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. 18. And now, it is an official slang in the modern Irish scenes. A two-day short trip around the. Bookmarked it. .maybe a hub! I heard theyre performing good trade at the old marketplace. May her lakes and rivers bless you. A state of discontentment, envy, or sometimes, wishing of ill will for those who achieve success on a friend or a person of higher power or authority. Many are used without us even realizing we must sound odd to foreign visitors! For example, Shane, hows the form?! We Irish do have some odd words we use everyday! Our Nature Reserves . As long as it didn't put you off visiting our wee Emerald Isle! 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. In Irish Gaelic, it's Is do mhac do mhac inni, ach is d'inon d'inon go deo. Whats the craic? Someone who is driven by anxiousness, waiting for something to occur. 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 . If its lashing rain, you may want to just stay inside. Cuisle was sometimes paired with ma, giving us macushla, or my darling a term of endearment youll never forget. Now is widely used to refer to all women of similar ages and not just girlfriends. Its just right across the block, and they serve delightful, Irish Slang Word #30: Cup of scald, or Cha, I have read and agree to the terms & conditions. Appreciate your votes and sharing!! I would have ever guessed the meaning of some of these words and phrases! Deadly doesnt mean dangerous and Class isnt always used to describe a lesson. For example, We went to the new club last night. Here's a list of redneck words and their meanings to help you understand exactly what is being said. 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%. Shes an awful wagon. Yer man. It was minus craic altogether. For example, Did you hear Martin and Bernies youngfella was caught cheating in the Garda exam. If you value children for the, small that you value highly, then storeen might be an appropriate word to use. During your trip, if an Irish local or your best friend calls you their acushla, dont be too flattered! Glad you have been getting some mileage out of the jacks at work!! For example, Ah well! To take a gander at the beautiful golden beaches of Ireland is a fun and relaxing idea. (Term of endearment). According to Irish Central, the craic was 90 signifies the nirvana of craic, though it can also be used sarcastically when something that was supposed to be a good time ends up being the opposite. , meaning illegal whiskey. For example, That lad keeps on texting me. A good destination for your Irish escapade. Dad, weve only climbed less than a hundred feet. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 25, 2012: Thanks viking305, The good old garda, thanks for that, a good one! It shows on your cheeks. Another tame one. Hes from Malahide, but hes dead on. The origin of banjaxed, which was first used in 1939 in the Irish novel At Swim-Two-Birds, is unclearthe Oxford English Dictionary posits it may have been Dublin slangbut it means damaged, ruined, or broken..