A short, or wee (see above), walk. 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%. 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. Thanks for the fun hub! Funny you say you have never been here, you sound very Irish!! LOL It's funny that you mention dating an Irishman. Had no idea those words were common in Australia. In Ireland, dope is another way of describing someone stupid. But no need to get too intellectual! I lived in Britain for many years and when I first arrived, I couldn't understand a word they were saying, "You alright me duck?". Up to 90 means flat out busy doing something. A short or a clipped version of the word traditional, trad often refers to traditional Irish folk music. Example: "My mate's birthday party was good craic.". Lol. Chancers, like you and your friends wont have a hard time finding the, Depending on how you use it, boyo (plural: boyos) can refer to a boy or a lad, who is usually younger than the speaker. Here are some of my favourites. It means "May God remove obstacles in your journey through life". Leg it refers to moving fast. 3. Common Irish Slang Words. I was mouldy drunk last night. 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. and as you can hear from Irish conversations, the persons who use this term usually hold a grudge towards the persons they are referring to, or, they just simply are complaining about their rough situation in life. , and more often used by Irish, Scottish, and English teenagers and young adults. " You're an awful snake (pronounced shnaake) " - Translation: you're a sneaky person, but I like you. It generally means house, and more often used by Irish, Scottish, and English teenagers and young adults. How-to-crafts from Ireland on July 03, 2012: A great selection of slang words we use in our daily conversations here in Dublin. With this knowledge at hand, youll find a good way to empathize with their current situation. It is my storeen. If you use one of these . At the moment, it is the primary language of a mere 72,000 people. I wish I'd had your list before we traveled to Ireland in 2010. Appreciate greatly you reading and bringing your experience to light, great comment, i love it! For example, She passed her exams in the end. What are some words youd use to describe different scents? Pronounced Ban-jacks-d, this is another one for a person thats heavily overindulged. For example, Declans been in there for the past hour faffin about the place.. 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. . Its okay to feel scarlet if you ever accidentally pour an ale over a handsome, young lad in a pub. Jo Maxi simply means taxi. That said at speed, did not sound like English. According to Ireland Calling, its most likely short for the phrase cat on a melodeon. For example, How ya doing hey?! Weather type: Rainy. Translation: A tricky situation. This isnt slang find out what it means here. For example, Please tell me hes called off training. Banjaxed - Not working or broken. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. A phrase used when a good time goes bad and no fun is had at all. For example, Hes only a goon that lad. Rachel Vega from Massachusetts on July 18, 2012: Yes! Thanks . Read on to learn to talk like the locals or maybe just understand what they're saying to you! Yoke. Then again I live in Massachusetts, and it sometimes seems we have as many Irish people as Ireland does :) Certainly interesting - esepcially how some of these phrases we also use, but for entirely different purpose. Your gaffers banjaxed, and I feel like I cant conquer Mount Carrauntoohil any longer. But be wary if a stranger addresses you with this term at the middle of the night. Lina, please order a chicken salad with some Tayto for me. Whenever somebody feels embarrassed or flustered, some peoples cheeks turn red or scarlet. lol Thanks for your comments and votes, much appreciated!! This said the Irish locals have created thousands of English slang that dates back from the medieval period up until modern times. nice wan yea, cyerafter. A version of this story ran in 2019; it has been updated for 2023. I WILL I'D SAY. @ Susie: Sorry I forgot. To Eat the head off of someone means to get very angry at them. For example, busted can mean "broken" or "ugly," sick can mean "ill" or "very cool," and hip can mean "trendy" or "fashionably un-trendy.". E's in the Rah. If you ever get lost in a familiar neighborhood in Ireland, dont be too offended when your Irish friend calls you an, Commonly used in the UK and Ireland, a gaffer is colloquially termed as ones boss, your old man, or a foreman. Making a hames in Irish slang is equivalent to making a mess in US English slang. Black stuff. If youre looking for a new way to say I have no idea, try this phrase on for size. :) If only I could find some vacation time :). Born in New Ross, County Wexford but we most commonly used the word craic. Deadly doesnt mean dangerous and Class isnt always used to describe a lesson. Its another one for very drunk people. This is hands-down one of my most-used Irish sayings. So you would go to get your messages and pick up any shopping you might need. Proud of that too, lassie! LMAO! This is an Irish phrase thats used to ask someone to wait for you or to stop what youre saying. I'm definitely gonna need this if I wanna go to Ireland! Craic generallymeans fun but, as is the case with many bits of Irish slang, theres multiple ways of using it. For example, I still cant believe we won that match. Derived from the Irish word gaeilge, meaning beak, gob often refers to as mouth in English. You made a hames in and out of our hotel room! Glad you enjoyed and i appreciate your votes and sharing! We talk about the weather a lot in Ireland. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on July 03, 2012: Hi How-to-crafts, Appreciate your comments and sharing! But maybe thats because Im getting old and getting out less Sarahs new fella was out last night. I know. This term is used for news, gossip, and fun conversations engaged by the locals. I havent heard this one used much lately. Hang on there for a second and Ill leg it over to you now!. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 26, 2013: Many thanks for visit and comments. . 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. Appreciate your votes and sharing!! I heard theyre. Used to describe someone thats annoying. We do use many weird and wonderful words don't we!! Theyre a pair of dryshites. It can also be used to describe a person. But here are just a few English words that have a very different meaning if you grew up in Ireland, and are strikingly different from Standard English. performing good trade at the old marketplace. You tend to hear a lot of mad Irish slang words when people greet each other. !LOL what an idea!! 33 Irish Insults And Curses: From 'Dope' And 'Hoor' To 'The Head On Ye' And More. A good destination for your Irish escapade. For example, Shite, put the cans away. Translation: How are you?. Thanks for sharing. 1 The press. 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? And FYI, my ancestors came from Old Ireland. BANJAXED. It is a term most commonly used by angry Irishmen for the current state of their lives, caused by another Irishmans fortune. Voting up and useful..thank you for sharing :). Scrumptious! Another one thats fairly tame. For example,The car wont start. . Yoke - A word used instead of saying "thing". When you first hear the word "yonks" used in Ireland, you might be a little confused. Irish Slang can have different meanings outside of Ireland so here are some Irish slang words and sayings and how to use t. I love it. However this word nick is very tricky, as it is used for many things in both formal and British slang. If you hear a barrage of swear words coming from an Irish person and ask them what's wrong, it's likely they'll reply "The F$@ %&*! As each generation comes of age, it adds new and creative slang to the culture. Which words did the Irish invent for our own use, and which ones travelled around the globe? You can also say Give me a go. Like very sorry? Im starving!. You are so right, and I am forever using it! The hot press is where the boiler is for the hot water and central heating. 11. and 12. You can leg it to the shops, or you can leg it around the corner to meet one of the lads. For example, Yer man was caught last week stealing from the till in Superquinn. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on September 14, 2012: What quick work you are! Update: weve had around 50 emails since this guide was published asking about the term the luck of the Irish. A nasty ciotog he. In Irish slang, gander means to quickly look at someone, or take a glance at. Here are some Irish phrases that I find my self using CONSTANTLY. For example, Shes an awful gobshite. Addressing your darling or Irish sweetheart from Ireland will never be as soft and endearing as the Irish term acushla. The locals like their slang more than most, and deciphering it requires expert supervision. Cheers for that.. Whats the craic? or when enquiring about a situation, for example, Whats the craic with that lad. Hi ya oh he from the Samui isle!! Thank you for sharing those great Irish slang words with us :) Brilliant. Talk about a dope. For example, Ross, ya pox! 3. LOVED IT. Will I, yea?!. Its a good day for drying. Thanks so much for input! Its not literally black, but you guessed it righta strong pint of this famous Irish dry stout might knock-out the light-hearted. You can also use this word to describe something thats bad. 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. When you feel scarlet in Ireland, you feel embarrassed or mortified over something. The vulgar use of this Irish saying is often heard when someone has an iffy tummy, for example, Ive had a bad dose of the shits all day. Thanks vespawoolf! A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Loads of the below words were new to me as well, but Ive lashed them into a section dedicated to Belfast slang.