Born in New Ross, County Wexford but we most commonly used the word craic. Youre lookin fine, lad! As a nation we're all aware we have a language of our own. In Ireland, we have a fairly random, and often completely impenetrable, number of Irish slang words and expressions. You have some neck on ya.' SKINNY MALINK Very Dublin phrase to describe a person of slender features. One of the most common Irish words, craic refers to both fun and news. Piece - A sandwich. 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. 3. Still smiling over some of the expressions! Like a pulled piece of cloth from a tenterhook, one can imagine the stretched agitation of a person, So, the next time your trip advisor mentions that your trip to a certain destination is, In Irish and UK slang, a dosser is someone who prefers to relax all day, a lazy person, in simpler terms. 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. Lol appreciate you commenting! Today, the term is commonly used for hidden bars that provide good music and a variety of drinks. Grand means OK. Youll hear it most commonly used as a response to, Hows it going/How are you feeling?/How are you today?. Must be interesting teaching our slang abroad! This genre has endured and stands against the hip and modern music genres introduced in Ireland. One you might want to include is Guards. I said like alllllllllll of these to people I know and they were soooooooooo confused. I would only really use "to be sure, to be sure" as a form of emphasizing Irishness, and in a funny way. Turf-Cutter: Irish Its rotten out. For example, How ya doing hey?! Synonymously and practically, it refers to a person who is over-fatigued from a long, tiring day. Giving out literally means to complain. Or mor ya or mauryah in Irish English, it is a derisive interjection that can be properly translated as, in the UK. Heres a handful of slang words that are used to describe a girl/woman. Some instruments commonly used for trad music are the fiddle, the flute and the whistle, Uilleann pipes, Have you heard of the new band from across the block? Bold. Great hub and I enjoyed reading it. I was mouldy drunk last night. Usually used casually with friends. Another way to say youre feeling delighted. Hardchaw, Hardman rough person. The craic was 90. I also lived in 3 continents from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. Glad you enjoyed and i appreciate your votes and sharing! 4. Think of it as an Irish slang translator, of sorts. neck: [noun] the part of an animal that connects the head with the body. For example, All them lads do is sit in and play the Xbox. Jeff Berndt from Southeast Michigan on April 24, 2013: Great stuff! LOL It's funny that you mention dating an Irishman. Can't Never Could. We had a wonderful time and although we didn't always understand we had fun trying. Hope you get to visit here in the near future, you will then be up to speed fully armed with the lingo! thanks for a great hub, voted up from me. 'Will you look at the state of her over there, theres more meat on a hamster, the skinny malink.' Im glad I came across your site. because I love the IRISH. meaning leg covering. Bad dose. Someone who is driven by anxiousness, waiting for something to occur. The jammy hoor!. 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!! The most comprehensive online dictionary of Irish Slang. So glad that I found YOU on Hubs. Carrie Lee Night from Northeast United States on March 17, 2014: Great fun!! You can use give it a lash in a heap of different ways. A nasty ciotog he. For example, It was definitely Colin. You could refer to someone thats annoying you as That yoke over there or you could also say Here, pass me that yoke there on the counter. Proud of that too, lassie! Example: 'He's not feeling the best today, he was locked last night.'. "What's the craic" can also be used to say hello to someone meaning "hi, any gossip/how is it going". A more endearing term for the word idiot or fool is the Irish slang eejit. You tend to hear a lot of mad Irish slang words when people greet each other. For example, Hes an awful latchio. Listen to Niall's n. Appreciate your reading,votes and sharing! Now. For example, That new car Jerry picked up is cracking. performing good trade at the old marketplace. lol Thanks for your comments and votes, much appreciated!! Tell them to wind their neck in. . Jo Maxi simply means taxi. It stems from the English noun grudgeand 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. you are very welcome to hear the truth about your amazing writing from me any day. It was bang on only cost a tenner. Many are used without us even realizing we must sound odd to foreign visitors! For example: "Let's meet after the lecture for a few jars.". Here are 20 Northern Irish phrases and what they mean in plain English. For example "Susie's phone got nicked at the party!" meaning Susie's phone was stolen at the party. Like very sorry? For example, Hes a cute hoor that fella, always manages to get a free ticket to the concerts in the Phoenix Park. 'Tis only a stepmother would blame you. These Irish slang words are commonly used in everyday Irish conversationssome might sound offensive, some might sound like it was pulled out of a literary textbook. theyre not doing what theyre supposed to be doing. Well wait until dusk. 24 of 30. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 18, 2012: Afraid I am not familiar with bant except being short for banter, as in chat, talk. 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. Will I, yea? I wish I'd had your list before we traveled to Ireland in 2010. No worries. Example: 'Thon shoes would look . 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. OTool gave us about 7 weeks worth of maths homework. Having the craic means the person was out having fun, for example, Ah, man, Im dying. Savage hub for reference, someday I'm makin it to the Pale for a pint of the Black stuff. This guide will help you understand how these words were formed, and how theyre used in your first or next visit to Ireland. Cheese on your chin : - Your fly is open. Nice one is an Irish saying thats used to show approval of someones behaviour. Gas. Very interesting. Acting the maggot. I use slang ever day. Or, it could also mean that something is not working properly, like a tourist van or a cellular device. For each question, choose the best answer. The word 'gas' is Irish slang for funny. Or, it could also mean that something is not working properly, like a tourist van or a cellular device. Anatomy a. Pronounced as ki-togue, it is an Irish slang that usually refers to a left-handed person. A short or a clipped version of the word traditional, trad often refers to traditional Irish folk music. There are two pronunciations of 'bold', each with a different meaning. This is another one for describing someone thats stupid. Another tame one. It shows on your cheeks. lol Appreciate your incredibly kind words soooo much. That said at speed, did not sound like English. For example, Here. It's funny, though: the thing that wrong-footed me when I first arrived in Ireland isn't on this list. Some of these words are familiar to native English speakers from the USA and UK but used in a different Irish context. Sure look. In slang nick N-I-C-K is a verb meaning to steal. Irish English. It is amazing how many of these slang words we use daily here in Dublin lol. Since before time, we Irish have managed to invent our very own slang words and phrases to unleash on all unfamiliar with the lingo! From the messages to jammy, here are some more popular ways of saying things using Irish slang words. And who said Strine was an Australian invention? Faffin - a comical Irish phrase. For example,She won money down the bingo again this week. 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. But in Ireland, when you say someone is on tenterhooks, it means they are at the edge of something agitating. Voted up and across. Had fun reading all the slang words, some familiar, some not so. .OMG, how did that one escape me? Also common slang term for a member of Canada's Conservative party. "Sure look" fits practically everywhere because of its meaning. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. Thanks so much for input! We compiled a list of the cutest nicknames that will inspire you and give grandma some well-deserved recognition. Youll often hear the word Class paired with Pure, for example, That new full-back theyve brought on is pure class.. Need to collect the messages first.. Its not literally black, but you guessed it righta strong pint of this famous Irish dry stout might knock-out the light-hearted. A great fun hub, really well put together, great stuff, well done, thanks for sharing, voted up, Lee. LOL Check out my other Irish hub sometime for a real "flavour" of warped Irish humour! Act the Maggot. Congrats. For example, She passed her exams in the end. For example, I still cant believe we won that match. They're very funny and fun-loving.I dated a pure Irishman for a couple of years..laughed straight through all 2 years!! You might befriend an Irish local or a tourist who is a chancer, and he or she will take you to the wildest places you could imagine. . In terms of direction, this term is not a bit offensive and is actually quite useful. For travelers, if your good friends call you boyo, it might be a term of endearment. A two-day short trip around the best tourist spots in Ireland is quite a storeen. 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. Not as offensive: Go and ask my bollox. You are now a graduate of the Authentic Vacations school of Irish slang. 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. I lived in NZ for a year and did not hear any Aussies use them either. While it might be confusing, yes means hello. Irish Slang and Phrases explained. maybe another part is needed?? The word crack came from the Middle English term crak, meaning loud, bragging conversation. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 13, 2013: Very funny. 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. One can say that the English language is deeply ingrained in the blood of. Thanks for sharing. Thanks again for commenting, it is much appreciated! Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 24, 2013: LOL . Andrew Spacey from Sheffield, UK on June 22, 2012: Lovely hub. When rendered as 'bold' (as in 'gold') it means 'naughty', even 'bad' or 'reprehensible'. Acting the maggot - Acting in a particularly foolish manner. Im starving!. 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". I missed ye. Tenterhooks are hooks used to fasten cloth, either on a wall or a frame, for drying. On your trip to a nearby pub in Ireland, you might hear most young Irishmen refer to their fathers as their gaffer. No, we don't mean the fuel. The most comprehensive online dictionary of Irish Slang. Topper; He's a topper = A term of praise usually reserved for the young; He's a great lad. Love the lists and entertaining hub. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on July 01, 2012: Hi annart, Thanks so much for reading and voting, appreciate your comments! Looking forward to reading more. Now, you have sparked within me an interest and desire to go to Ireland! At the moment, it is the primary language of a mere 72,000 people. With this knowledge at hand, youll find a good way to empathize with their current situation. From "bajanxed" to "bogger", Niall takes us through some of Ireland's best slang phrases. Slinte! HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. I have a question: what does sleane mean in closing a letter? !lol Appreciate your support and comments! Always have wanted to see Ireland now I can practice up on the slang. This is another female-specific word thats reasonably offensive. For example, Gway out of that with your umbrella. It describes a situation or a person thats no fun. Person who quietly engineers things to their own advantage. If someone says "the craic was 90" it means the fun, laughter and joviality was amazing. Definition of a farmer a man how is outstanding in his own field. Here's to you and here's to me, I pray that friends we'll always be, but if by chance we disagree, the heck with you and here's to me. (Term of endearment). If ever there was a Gobdaw its that lad. LOL maybe due to the fact us Irish are a wee bit mad at times! 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. Had a good laugh writing and thinking god we speak a lot of rubbish!! It can refer to a person, "He's gas!" or a situation "That's gas!". Heres a handful (Ill update this again at a later date as more comments come in). 1. 2. For example, Do you remember the time Micky got caught moving the cow in the back of his Ford Focus? Oh, I do. My father, from Dublin, often says: Jaysus! This is another for describing someone thats heavily intoxicated. Youll hear the craic was 90 used when someone is describing a situation where a serious bit of fun was had. 3. Welcome To Malahide Castle: Walks, History, The Butterfly House + More, A Guide To Howth In Dublin: A Stunning Seaside Village That Packs A Punch. I heard Cracking used constantly on a trip to Northern Ireland where we frequented far too many pubs. which means darling, or more literally vein or pulse. 1. Drinking Age In Ireland: Drinking Laws And Tips. Madeleine Salin from Finland on June 21, 2012: Very interesting and it's always nice to learn new words. when meaning "may I help you?" Example: "My mate's birthday party was good craic.". Thanks again:-) !! , and more often used by Irish, Scottish, and English teenagers and young adults. Dryshite. . Appreciate your votes and sharing!! Pronounced wayne, this word means child.. Sentence: run down has the bant and gets it off him. Ive no idea, but its a bit of Irish slang that Ive heard all my life. Weather type: Sunny. Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on September 14, 2012: Great information Suzie HQ. If youve had a few too many pints of Guinness (also known as the black stuff) in Ireland, you might be described as langered, or drunk. This word is used as a verb and it means to make a joke at someone elses expense. What an absolute geebag. Would you like to come with me? But be wary if a stranger addresses you with this term at the middle of the night. Developed "straight from the horse's mouth". Boyo. For example,The car wont start. 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? Now, for our American readers when we say dope in Ireland, were not talking about anything dodgy. Jar - is slang for a pint of beer. Glad you enjoyed it was fun putting together! For example, Her new fella was here last night. Craic is pronounced crack, and it means general banter or fun. It basically means a long time. A way to describe a person who is a bit stupid, or at least very annoying. Rachel Vega from Massachusetts on July 18, 2012: Yes! For example, Shane, hows the form?! i don't know of a slang term or colloquial term for farmer i'm afraid but check it out online or in an Irish slang dictionary. 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. Looking for a slang or colloquial term for farmer. I use this about 20 times a day. as in put the kettle on and we'll have a wee cup of tea. Appreciate your votes and sharing MK!!!! It's easy enough to see the words now, but to hear them - that's a whole different story. For example, Its a grand aul day today Mary. Anyhow, while the prisoners were locked in their cell they used to talk out of their windows while sticking their neck out. lol Thanks again RC. Bookmarked it. In Irish and UK slang, a dosser is someone who prefers to relax all day, a lazy person, in simpler terms. Yoke more or less means 'thing' but it's use and meaning can very ambiguous. :P Reall fun and great craic ;). Theyre unreal. Someone who is driven by anxiousness, waiting for something to occur. 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? 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.. It is my storeen. Irish slang is peppered with sounds and phrases and mythology from the ancient Gaelic language. Banter: banter is the backbone of Ireland's identity and it is all over Ireland, the banter, the craic, having a good chat and a laugh. Wow, what a journey Swords to Peru, my bucket list no.1 stop! LOVED IT. Now, if I can just figure out how to afford that trip to Ireland I long for. I heard theyre performing good trade at the old marketplace. However this word nick is very tricky, as it is used for many things in both formal and British slang. This one is usually used the morning after a heavy session when youre explaining why your heads is thumping. How ya getting on? I heard the shebeens in Dublin at night are great places to enjoy good jazzand fresh drinks. We got back from the pub at half 2 but we were up until 7 having the craic. 2. Aye - Yes. Grand: means good and is used up North and down South. For example, Ah, man, the heads bouncing off of me. Often used in a derogatory context. Meredith, I really need to go to my brothers wedding. Youre some clown. There's no need to be embarrassed or feel badly about . dangerous. It only took her 4 years. Down the Swanee : - Down the drain. Appreciate your comment! (Cassells Dictionary of Slang says the phrase means crazy.). Based on recent reports, about 99% of the Irish people actually use English than the Irish . For example, Declans been in there for the past hour faffin about the place.. 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. Whats the craic can either be used as a greeting, for example, Ah, Tony. the neck of you irish slang Layered Jello Salad With Cream Cheese , Repo Mobile Homes In Hattiesburg, Ms , Glendy Vanderah Age , How To Complete A Wotc Screening , Jurassic Park Lexile Level , Example Of Transform Boundary , Best Choice Jeep 18v Conversion , Anglo Saxon Burial Mounds , Youd be safer eating in the jacks. Sure you can find that vacation time, your hubs may suffer though!! Savage, mate. A couple of trad music sessions are commonly found in local pubs and public areas around Ireland. My stomach is in bits. Your feet must be bogging. More of a clich to be honest! Howaya! This term is used for news, gossip, and fun conversations engaged by the locals. is just the Irish version of "How can I help you?". Here are a few Irish colloquialisms to help you understand the next person you meet from Derry, Dublin, or Donegal. Gypsy Rose Lee from Daytona Beach, Florida on June 23, 2012: Voted up and funny. Its worth noting that when someone says that theyre grand, they may not necessarily be so. Conservation. Standard English: 'That was a great score'; 'He's a great guy'. A nasty ciotog he was, and a great painter, but filled with greed and self-loathing. Whats the craic? Did you lob the gob?. It shows on your cheeks. (no correlation to the collie, Lassie, on TV), just waited to say that word. to use these words will be up to your discretionand that makes learning and using Irish slang words more fun and exciting! Joshua Zerbini from Pennsylvania on June 29, 2012: Suzie, this was a hilarious hub! Would an Irish person use the word cheeky?. Craic Tame. Nice work :). Now, you tend to hear this used in a vulgar manner quite a bit, but its also used in everyday conversation, also. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. Quare. Likely to be severely hungover the following morning. Looking forward to reading more of your work here! When you first hear the word "yonks" used in Ireland, you might be a little confused. Its a handy conversation starter and its generally the topic of debate in shops and pubs alike. Sassenach - From the Gaelic word sasunnach, meaning Saxon, and used to describe non-Gaelic speaking Scottish Lowlanders (and our English friends). We do use many weird and wonderful words don't we!! Take it from this Irishwoman though: you shouldn't go around Dublin calling people "eejits" anytime soon. Translation: The name given to dung heaps/dirty people. Or a bit dodgy. For example, We went to the new club last night. Sample Usage: Whoo! Call a taxi. Example: 'Stop faffin' and do some work.'. 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. Meaning of Craic. Redneck slang got you a little confused? From always working with the public, I often say "Are you okay?" There are hundreds of slang I could use but had to limit this list somewhere! Hopefully you will get to visit us over this neck of the woods and have a head start in the speech! Scrumptious! Lets watch? Ah, another Irish phrase that uses a word thats actually meant to describe something hazardous to describe something brilliant. To Lob the gob means to kiss someone. 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. Great page! But sometimes, the slang word is a reused word with a new meaning. For example,Their kitchen is manky. Although, it might be fun as a joke. n. 1. For example, Shes up there giving out to Tony about something. This term means its raining heavily. '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! (Term of endearment), 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. For example, Shite, put the cans away. Rattletrap. For example, Mrs. Quare Can you give it a lash with your jump cables? or Ive never tried that before, but sure Ill give it a lash. That man is a shnakey little shitehawk. In Irish slang, gander means to quickly look at someone, or take a glance at. 7. Donkeys years is used to describe a long passing of time. Shes in rag order.. 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?" Bags (to make a bags of something) Bang on. @ Susie: Sorry I forgot. It might sound derogatory to some, or might be a term of endearment for others. The slang is much similar to the Irish word, meaning clumsy. Shes bang on or I had the bike fixed down in Riordains yard last week. Like a pulled piece of cloth from a tenterhook, one can imagine the stretched agitation of a person on tenterhooks. For example, He got a taxi home with us and hopped out without giving us any money towards it. (Especially after enjoying an evening in a . Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 25, 2012: Thanks viking305, The good old garda, thanks for that, a good one! Translation: A tricky situation. Craic: popular throughout Ireland - where's the craic, as in where's the fun at. Pronounced kware, this word can be used in a variety of ways to mean great, very, and terrific.. Craic - A word with a few meanings. Vespa Woolf from Peru, South America on June 22, 2012: This is great!! Translation: A messer. This is also a good hub if you want to go to Ireland. Kenneth. Often used in a derogatory context. Thanks.