A melodeon is a small organ, so we can imagine a feline walking across one would not sound that great. I was hammered last night. I recently went to Newfoundland, and they have a lot of different slang words also. Offensive: Youre only a bollox. Its a good day for drying. Legend says that if you find one each leaf has a meaning. Dive on in below! I said like alllllllllll of these to people I know and they were soooooooooo confused. 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. 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). So, this is a pretty insulting bit of slang thats female-specific. to use these words will be up to your discretionand that makes learning and using Irish slang words more fun and exciting! Today, the term is commonly used for hidden bars that provide good music and a variety of drinks. Thon simply means "the" or "those" in a sentence and can be used to describe pretty much anything. Great Hub! Pronounced Ban-jacks-d, this is another one for a person thats heavily overindulged. For example, Shite, put the cans away. For example, Ah man, my heads in bits. 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! Common Irish Slang Words. 1. Now. During your trip, if an Irish local or your best friend calls you their, Stems from the more common English term crack. Appreciate greatly you reading and bringing your experience to light, great comment, i love it! For example, Did you get it printed? No, the things banjaxed sure or The f*cking car wont start again the engines banjaxed. Ill chat to ye later, yea?!. Slap chips [slup chips] is a slang phrase for deep-fried potato chips sold at takeaway seafood shops, grocery stores and restaurants. It's baltic - commonly heard in winter. Seriouslynever met one that I didn't take to immediately! Gamers actually use this term quite a lot, with the same meaning and context. Today, the term is commonly used for hidden bars that provide good music and a variety of drinks. Define neck. One day I will get over there and look up my ancestors, the O'Dowds.greatly enjoyed this hub! The word originates in from the Irish 'maith' which means good. 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. A first for me!! For example, She was down here last Sunday. Boyo. Way back, uncut liquor and alcoholic beverages were sold in Ireland in unlicensed bars and clubs in Ireland. Jammy - if you are a lucky person you might be described as flukey or jammy. 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? A phrase used when a good time goes bad and no fun is had at all. Conservation. It was minus craic altogether. It means "May God remove obstacles in your journey through life". Someone thats a waster. Need to collect the messages first.. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 24, 2012: Thanks Relationshipc, Appreciate your comments and visit! You can also say Give me a go. 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. LOL maybe due to the fact us Irish are a wee bit mad at times! :P Reall fun and great craic ;). Irish Slang Word #22: Deadly or Savage What it means: A more extreme way of saying awesome in Irish slang is deadly or savage. This is another for describing someone thats heavily intoxicated. I dont use the word feck personally, but its a word that I associate with the magnificent Father Ted series, which is why its part of my favourites. This guide will help you understand how these words were formed, and how theyre used in your first or next visit to Ireland. As each generation comes of age, it adds new and creative slang to the culture. For example, His sister told his Mam about what happened. thanks for a great hub, voted up from me. You certainly wouldnt want to hear this from your Irish tour guide at the start of his or her tour! Youll often hear this one used in response to questions like How was work today Ah, shtap sure Ive been up to 90 since half 7. Hi fpherj48, Thanks so much for your lovely comments which definitely made me laugh! Oh, and "it's bucketing down" comes up semi-regularly in winter (you know, when it actually rains). For example, Cmon. It might sound derogatory to some, or might be a term of endearment for others. I have never been to Ireland but if I am lucky enough to get the chance to visit, your hub here will come in quite useful! And whatever end of Paddy's Day you're on, it's always a good time to test them out. Do one's nut in. This Irish expression gets more than its fair share of use and isnt specific to any particular county. But apart from Irish, beyond the Gaeltacht there's a second tongue many of us are fluent in. This isn't a word that even exists in many cultures and dialects. We like to read this as one of the greatest Southern encouragements, but, like most of these phrases, you can use it however you'd like. Fluthered. For example, Its finely stopped pissing down. Stop, I know. To keep it going, and to make this guide as helpful as possible, Im going to offer myself as an Irish slang translator. The term Paddy Wagon derives from the idea that the Irish were all criminals, and when the police came to quell a brawl or something of the like, they would just be rounding up a bunch of "paddys." Plastic Paddy: Irish: Term used by the Irish describing those who grew up in the a foreign country (specifically the UK) and still identify as being . 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. People in Ireland speak English, but not exactly the Queens English. With a little help from the Gaelic languagecalled Irishthe populace of the Emerald Isle has devised its very own collection of weird and wonderful words and phrases. It could also denote a place where cheap entertainment can be availed. A more endearing term for the word idiot or fool is the Irish slang eejit. It is a term most commonly used by angry Irishmen for the current state of their lives, caused by another Irishmans fortune. It was some Ogeous handling. The word Yoke is used to describe something. Weather type: Light rain. Here the top 80 most used Irish slang phrases. Hes a sound lad. Trap has been used as a slang name for the mouth since at least the 18th century, and rattletrap is just one variation of this theme, alongside dozens of others like potato-trap . meaning loud, bragging conversation. So, the next time your trip advisor mentions that your trip to a certain destination is on tenterhooks, be wary. Acting the maggot. We talk about the weather a lot in Ireland. Thanks . Funny you say you have never been here, you sound very Irish!! Your man that I bought the car off is a serious Gombeen. Youre lookin fine, lad! Appreciate your votes! Is there any way to just say very or really? We had a wonderful time and although we didn't always understand we had fun trying. Example: 'He's not feeling the best today, he was locked last night.'. For example, How ya doing hey?! That said at speed, did not sound like English. If youre chatting to someone and they reply with Sure look it tends to mean it is what it is. With this knowledge at hand, youll find a good way to empathize with their current situation. 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. Appreciate your voting :-). This said the Irish locals have created thousands of English slang that dates back from the medieval period up until modern times. Fair play is an Irish expression used to congratulate someone. Haven't got a baldy no . Here are a few Irish colloquialisms to help you understand the next person you meet from Derry, Dublin, or Donegal. The word slap means 'limp' in Afrikaans and is a perfect description for the oily potato chips which are larger than French fries. 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). Now, theres another potential use for this Irish phrase, and thats when describing someone thats bull-thick (aka angry). lol Appreciate your incredibly kind words soooo much. We have to go to Clonakilty. The word crack came from the Middle English term. The word gas is Irish slang for funny. A Galway term for prison, e.g 'don't steal, you'll end up in the clinker' Cop on 'Cop on' is a general catch-all term for having common sense or intelligence in any situation. Can you give it a lash with your jump cables? or Ive never tried that before, but sure Ill give it a lash. For example, Ah well! 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. Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on June 24, 2012: What a great hub! Youll hear the craic was 90 used when someone is describing a situation where a serious bit of fun was had. I use this one a lot. For example, Bout ye, chief! Jo Maxi simply means taxi. Lets watch? In England there are so many curious expressions or slang too so no wonder you found it daunting. Havent seen you in about ten years. 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). Good God its just dawned on me how many Irish sayings there are for describing manky weather! It could also denote a place where cheap entertainment can be availed. If you think you can't, you won't be able to accomplish something, but if you think you can, you'll succeed. Ann Carr from SW England on July 01, 2012: Voted up, funny and interesting. livingabroad from Wales, UK on June 19, 2012: What about "to be sure, to be sure"? 3. Tory: Irish: Bandit, from the Irish Tory Island, a noted have for bandits and pirates. Voted up and across. Here are top Irish sayings that you will love: 1. If you hear someone refer to a person as a Fine thing, it generally means they find that person attractive. You are destined for success in writing. For example, Shite man Im running late. For example: "Let's meet after the lecture for a few jars.". A long time ago I was serving a custodial sentence. Or mor ya or mauryah in Irish English, it is a derisive interjection that can be properly translated as, in the UK. The people from Northern England and Scotland borrowed the word that denoted a meaning for conversation or news. The term whats the crack essentially means, how are you, or have you any news? Interestingly, crack was borrowed from the Irish term craic, and was re-borrowed! Brutal. Have fun, you will be talking like a seasoned pro in no time! This term means its raining heavily. The next time you visit the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin, you might befriend a couple of colleens studying horticulture. You know that feeling you get when youve enjoyed a fairly big Tuesday night in a club, and then stumble into work the next morning after downing six espresso shots at the nearest Starbucks? In bits is used when youre describing something or someone thats in a bad way. I enjoyed reading them. Learn something new or share one or two that we . It might sound derogatory to some, or might be a term of endearment for others. Lol appreciate you commenting! You have no idea how much of this I recognised and I've never been to Ireland! Our GPSs gone arseways. A way to describe a person who is a bit stupid, or at least very annoying. I also lived in 3 continents from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. When to use these words will be up to your discretionand that makes learning and using Irish slang words more fun and exciting! For example, Ah, nice one! said Karen, as she took the bag of chips from Kate. Lets get moving! Slinte! You can use this word to say something is bad or awful. Appreciate your input and votes!! It stems from the English noun. Their accent didn't help one bit - especially after a few drinks. You can also use this word to describe something thats bad. Sentence: run down has the bant and gets it off him. Derived from the Irish word gaeilge, meaning beak, gob often refers to as mouth in English. Craic is a versatile word that can be used in a number of situations. Thanks very much for your comments, much appreciated this part of the globe! nice wan yea, cyerafter. This isnt slang find out what it means here. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 24, 2013: LOL . One can say that the English language is deeply ingrained in the blood of. Another word for eejit. Listen, mates, we got ourselves on tenterhooks for a while. lol Thanks for your comments and votes, much appreciated!! Would you like to come with me? I'm definitely gonna need this if I wanna go to Ireland! It only took her 4 years. For example, Theres your change. Someone thats boring. The word colleen is derived from the old Irish Gaelic term cailin which means girl or maiden. Savage, man, I thought they were sold out. And now, it is an official slang in the modern Irish scenes. Too bad April Fools' Day is past. If youve read our detailed guide to Irish insults, youll have an idea of the types of slags that Irish people throw at each other. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 23, 2012: rajan jolly, Thanks so much for your lovely comments! Yes, savage is also Irish slang for good. Care for a cup of cha? A lot of it seems to be similar to Essex slang but, then I'm not sure that's necessarily a good thing lol. For example, The smell off those runners. 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. Now if I can only save enough to go to Ireland so I can test out my nifty new words! Faffin - a comical Irish phrase. 10. 3. For example, Dont be worrying about it, its grand. 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. Translation: Excited. 'Will you look at the state of her over there, theres more meat on a hamster, the skinny malink.' maybe another part is needed?? it might be a term of endearment. I heard the shebeens in Dublin at night are great places to enjoy good jazzand fresh drinks. 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. You can describe a person or a situation as bang on. Yoke. Thanks for guide! That young lad was in here last night acting the maggot. I may have to pepper my States language with these soon, especially "not the full shilling"! Wise up Mon well . This has been a bad aul dose. For example, That lad keeps on texting me. Become a Lord or a Lady Now. See, if someone's crazy, they're a nutter. The post on Instagram unearthed a good chunk of Irish slang words that Id never heard of. In Ireland, if you have to use the toilet, you might need to go to the jacks. 18. 'Mucker'- an endearing term to describe a friend. Confusing or what?! You're ready to book the Ireland trip of your dreams and talk like a local. It was a fun hub to write and laughs all the way!! Thick meaning stupid, Mick as an abbreviation of Michael, a common Irish Christian name. We do use many weird and wonderful words don't we!! -Grand: This is our most used response to any question. I am so glad you enjoyed this compilation of Irish slang. Translation: Face. In Irish slang, gander means to quickly look at someone, or take a glance at. Thanks from this here lass!! At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely. Proud of that too, lassie! I was in a hoop after Foleys last night. Some instruments commonly used for trad music are the fiddle, the flute and the whistle, Uilleann pipes, harp, accordion, banjo, mandolin, and harmonica. Weather type: Sunny. For example, Hes a cute hoor that fella, always manages to get a free ticket to the concerts in the Phoenix Park. So in the days of the telegraph and before everyone had phones. The jammy hoor!. Aye . It wasnt until a friend from the UK said he didnt know what I was on about the first time we met and I used it in a sentence. For travelers, if your good friends call you. Theres no way Im waiting for a bus in that. This is yet another tame one thats used to describe someone dense. 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?". For example, Shes up there giving out to Tony about something. Hope this helps!