The word colleen is derived from the old Irish Gaelic term cailin which means girl or maiden. 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. Way back, uncut liquor and alcoholic beverages were sold in Ireland in unlicensed bars and clubs in Ireland. 2. I cant hear the radio!. Voted up and shared! Someone thats a waster. On your next trip to Ireland, you might want to avoid it. Dec. Locked. Like very sorry? Here the top 80 most used Irish slang phrases. Pity the colour is shite. Southern grandmothers are a national treasure. 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. I heard off Noley that you were in getting the haemorrhoids sorted?! An old Irish slang word used to describe someone thats a chancer. Neck Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster Irish Slang can have different meanings outside of Ireland so here are some Irish slang words and sayings and how to use t. 20 Of My Favourite Irish Proverbs And Sayings For St Patrick's Day 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 . Conservation. Old Scottish Sayings And Scottish Slang Words - Scotland Welcomes You There are two pronunciations of 'bold', each with a different meaning. Act the maggot is a verb that means to mess around, by behaving foolishly, for example, or by avoiding work. Dooter. to use these words will be up to your discretionand that makes learning and using Irish slang words more fun and exciting! 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. Lol appreciate you commenting! We had a wonderful time and although we didn't always understand we had fun trying. Thanks for guide! Likely to be severely hungover the following morning. This is yet another tame one thats used to describe someone dense. This term is used for news, gossip, and fun conversations engaged by the locals. Its used to describe a bad case of something, for example, Ive been lashing in the tablets all week. And we're gonna teach you some English slang. 80+ Hilarious Irish Slang Words and Phrases and their Meanings But be wary if a stranger addresses you with this term at the middle of the night. Pronounced Ban-jacks-d, this is another one for a person thats heavily overindulged. We all went back to Sharons after. Grand: means good and is used up North and down South. LOL maybe due to the fact us Irish are a wee bit mad at times! Lina, please order a chicken salad with some Tayto for me. Too bad April Fools' Day is past. I thought this Irish saying made perfect sense, but apparently not. Cailln maith meaning 'good girl' became a way of refering to your girl friend. For example,Their kitchen is manky. Translation: How are you?. Oh, and "it's bucketing down" comes up semi-regularly in winter (you know, when it actually rains). For example, Sure hes been on the pints all day, hes banjxxed. Our GPSs gone arseways. Define neck. It was minus craic. Since before time, we Irish have managed to invent our very own slang words and phrases to unleash on all unfamiliar with the lingo! Top 20 mad Northern Irish phrases that only make sense to locals 13 English words that have a different meaning in Ireland 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. 'Tis only a stepmother would blame you. Black stuff. Locked is just one such term - others include mouldy, ossified, polluted, twisted and langers. A long time ago I was serving a custodial sentence. 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. Not to be confused with the actual meaning for deadly, i.e. For example, We went to the new club last night. The press is the kitchen cupboard where food is stored. If no help comes to us, well move on. A nasty ciotog he was, and a great painter, but filled with greed and self-loathing. 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. Also common slang term for a member of Canada's Conservative party. It can mean fun, going's on or gossip. Scrumptious! I WILL I'D SAY. @ Susie: Sorry I forgot. Quite possibly Irelands greatest linguistic achievement, this phrase is the perfect way to curse without technically cursing. My cousin does professional Irish dancing and has visited there every year. lol Thanks for your comments and votes, much appreciated!! Appreciate greatly you reading and bringing your experience to light, great comment, i love it! Craic is pronounced crack, and it means general banter or fun. Actually, its used to describe anything. 'Mucker'- an endearing term to describe a friend. So you would go to get your messages and pick up any shopping you might need. Glad you enjoyed Gypsy Rose Lee! Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 13, 2013: Very funny. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on September 23, 2013: Thanks for the comment! It might sound derogatory to some, or might be a term of endearment for others. Will I, yea? For example, I clipped the wing mirror off the pillar yesterday. " Ye half eejit ye " - Not quite a full eejit, but still quite foolish. 24 of 30. :-). Translation: A member of the police. A good destination for your Irish escapade. Contrary to popular belief this does not mean "great" or anything nearly as enthusiastic. So, this is a pretty insulting bit of slang thats female-specific. I was locked and in bed by half ten.. Pronounced as slawn-sha, if you and your friends have a couple of more rounds, the best Irish chant for cheers is Slinte! I heard the waves are great at Inchydoney Beach, honey. Id never thought wed make it to the top! Hi fpherj48, Thanks so much for your lovely comments which definitely made me laugh! Thon - an Irish phrase for any sentence. It was some Ogeous handling. nb: Use a verb to mean make fun of someone in a nice way or else it has the same meaning as elsewhere i.e. I heard theyre. This is another tame bit of Irish slang used to describe a man or woman that youre less than fond of. Appreciate your votes! Hang on there for a second and Ill leg it over to you now!. Act the Maggot. meaning loud, bragging conversation. Talk about a dope. 70+ Irish Slang Words and Phrases That Are Great Craic Aye - Yes. The only people that I know who use these words to describe drunkenness are friends from Drogheda. Example: 'Stop faffin' and do some work.'. Mike Licht NotionsCapital.com,CC-BY-2.0, via flickr. Down the Swanee : - Down the drain. the neck of you irish slang - anmolsahota.com Thick meaning stupid, Mick as an abbreviation of Michael, a common Irish Christian name. 3. 400+ people commented and the guide below was born. One you might want to include is Guards. 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. Giving out literally means to complain. The hot press is where the boiler is for the hot water and central heating. No matter the color, just mention this to your local Irish bartender, and hell know what to serve. Scrumptious! The ultimate guide to Cockney rhyming slang Lets watch? For example, She was down here last Sunday. For example, Here. Appreciate your voting :-). Redneck Slang Words | YourDictionary At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely. Here are 36 best Irish sayings and what they really mean - Hack Spirit Weather type: Fine. A first for me!! Ill chat to ye later, yea?!. So, I thought giving out was something used globally genuinely. I used to use, and here this one used, back during my days in school. Bang on is generally used as a response and is another bit of Irish slang for good. It basically means a long time. Read on to learn to talk like the locals or maybe just understand what they're saying to you! Here, I have highlighted the most commonly heard words, their meanings, and provided examples of how they are used in everyday speech. Appreciate your votes and sharing!! For example, He was slagging me, so I gave him a kick in the bollox. You have some neck on ya.' SKINNY MALINK Very Dublin phrase to describe a person of slender features. Urban Dictionary: mot This one is usually used the morning after a heavy session when youre explaining why your heads is thumping. What an absolute geebag. Appreciate your reading,votes and sharing! Ive heard this one a lot less in recent years. When someone says "slinte," whether on St. Patrick's Day or not, they're . Details Parent Category: Irish Slang Phrases My father, from Dublin, often says: Jaysus! Is there any way to just say very or really? This genre has endured and stands against the hip and modern music genres introduced in Ireland. That man is a shnakey little shitehawk. The jammy hoor!. . It only took her 4 years. Here's hoping you will get to use here soon!! For example, Mam cooked some dinner for you. because I love the IRISH. 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. Theyll tell you the secrets to creating the best garden in the world. LOL. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 23, 2012: Thanks mollymeadows for visiting and commenting, I appreciate it! Funny reading that as I have taught Irish slang to students abroad :). Act the maggot is a verb that means "to mess around," by behaving foolishly, for example, or by avoiding work. My stomach is in bits. A personal favourite. The most comprehensive online dictionary of Irish Slang. Gas, when used by the Irish, means funny.. For example, Dye see yer wan over there with the red hat? A more extreme way of saying awesome in Irish slang is deadly or savage. Explore Irish Slang: 34 Must-Know Words & Phrases | Promova Blog Cheers for that.. If you arrive in Ireland and ask someone for the restroom, it is a social suicide. 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. Our Nature Reserves . For example, Ah man, my heads in bits. I Voted UP and all the way on this hub. Irish Slang and Phrases - YouTube For example, Shut your bake, you clown. Having the craic means the person was out having fun, for example, Ah, man, Im dying. Someone thats a nuisance. From the messages to jammy, here are some more popular ways of saying things using Irish slang words. 18 South African Slang Words And Phrases You Should Know - Culture Trip Confusing or what?! Sure look. Irish Sayings & Phrases (Now Including 10 of our Favourite Examples) One can say that the English language is deeply ingrained in the blood of. Irish Slang Terms You Need To Know - Culture Trip 23. A version of this story ran in 2019; it has been updated for 2023. But in Ireland, when you say someone is on tenterhooks, it means they are at the edge of something agitating. Faffing means to do something without actually doing anything. A two-day short trip around the. Thanks. Great Hub! Another tame one. Great page! Still smiling over some of the expressions! We Irish do have some odd words we use everyday! Eighteenth- and 19th-century Scottish and English schoolboy slang ("sapskull", "saphead") that the Irish took and shortened. Commonly used in England where Irish immigrants did much of the manual labour. The word Yoke is used to describe something. Amadan - Generally refers to a fool or a buffoon. Today, the term is commonly used for hidden bars that provide good music and a variety of drinks. In Irish slang words, if your parents are away for the night, or for a day or two, you go to someones gaff to have a party or a sleep-over. Should be framed and in a pub. 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. A phrase used when a good time goes bad and no fun is had at all. 4. For example, He got a taxi home with us and hopped out without giving us any money towards it. Read: I absolutely will not be doing that. It's baltic - commonly heard in winter. Howve ye been? LOL. neck synonyms, neck pronunciation, neck translation, English dictionary definition of neck. Your feet must be bogging. For example, Ah, nice one! said Karen, as she took the bag of chips from Kate. It means "May God remove obstacles in your journey through life". Craic is an Irish word that can be translated to mean "fun," "enjoyment," or "good times.". That gentleman is a member of the terrorist group called Irish Republican Army On jest terroryst z IRA. LOL It's funny that you mention dating an Irishman. Poke - (to poke - to prod) (a poke - a paper bag) Reek - Smell, emit smoke. The best of Irish slang and 100+ Irish slang phrases - XYUandBEYOND 9 Irish phrases that make no sense outside of Ireland Topper; He's a topper = A term of praise usually reserved for the young; He's a great lad. 19. Actually, it's used to describe anything. Why? Here are some Irish phrases that I find my self using CONSTANTLY. To have a shot of something means to try it out. Madeleine Salin from Finland on June 21, 2012: Very interesting and it's always nice to learn new words. 3. 4. Vespa Woolf from Peru, South America on June 22, 2012: This is great!! 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. 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. 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. 800+ Irish Slang & Swear Words, Expletives, Curses, Expressions, Insults Roon - Round. Hope you get to visit here in the near future, you will then be up to speed fully armed with the lingo! Its pissing down out there., Weather type: Rainey. I heard theyre performing good trade at the old marketplace. Love the lists and entertaining hub. :-). . Voted up and across. Its okay to feel scarlet if you ever accidentally pour an ale over a handsome, young lad in a pub. (no correlation to the collie, Lassie, on TV), just waited to say that word. As long as it didn't put you off visiting our wee Emerald Isle! For example, Gway out of that with your umbrella. We use Unreal to describe something that so good its actually hard to believe. For example, Ross, ya pox! lol Glad you enjoyed! Its pure shit out. A more endearing term for the word idiot or fool is the Irish slang eejit. ur aulfellas a durtburd for sayin i stroked ur scratcher out d gaf man. The part of the body joining the head to the shoulders or trunk. Hi ya oh he from the Samui isle!! An Irish couple getting married. Had fun reading all the slang words, some familiar, some not so. To Lob the gob means to kiss someone. Sentence: run down has the bant and gets it off him. Sap. Example, "Tara, I'm going to the shop", and . 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. I love it. Definition of a farmer a man how is outstanding in his own field. Donkeys years is a phrase Irish people use meaning a long time (as in, Ive known him for donkeys years, an example given in the video above), as is yonks. For example, busted can mean "broken" or "ugly," sick can mean "ill" or "very cool," and hip can mean "trendy" or "fashionably un-trendy.". Essential Irish Slang Everyone Should Know - Claddagh Design Irish Slang and Phrases explained. For travelers, if your good friends call you boyo, it might be a term of endearment. Irish Slang - Fighting Talk & Phrases - Irish Phrases Terms The word Culchie is used to describe someone living in a remote part of Ireland. For example, Shite man Im running late. 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! 10 Yonks. Yes. (Cassells Dictionary of Slang says the phrase means crazy.). I turned scarlet when he saw me picking my nose, ugh! Hash to mess up. Drinking Age In Ireland: Drinking Laws And Tips. Dressed to the nines : - Don in your Sunday best. Whats the craic? or when enquiring about a situation, for example, Whats the craic with that lad. Looking forward to reading more. gwan oura dat ye bleedin' mad ting. If you hear someone refer to a person as a Fine thing, it generally means they find that person attractive. Appreciate your votes and sharing MK!!!! 'Will you look at the state of her over there, theres more meat on a hamster, the skinny malink.' Other craic terms include good craic, mighty craic, deadly craic, and whats the craic, meaning how are you?. meaning beak, gob often refers to as mouth in English. An Irishman's Diary - The Irish Times 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!". On your next hiking or rock-climbing adventure with your buddies, you can use this term however you want. Now, theres another potential use for this Irish phrase, and thats when describing someone thats bull-thick (aka angry). But dont be too proud when someone calls you by this term. For example, He spends his day going between the bookies and the pub. Whats the craic? During your trip, if an Irish local or your best friend calls you their, Stems from the more common English term crack. It was a fun hub to write, us Irish are good at making fun (polite term!!) How ya getting on? We talk about the weather a lot in Ireland. The word 'gas' is Irish slang for funny. But it's meaning is pretty simple. This is another one for describing someone thats stupid. A wee list of Belfast sayings, so it is | Northern Slant Used to describe someone thats annoying. Born in New Ross, County Wexford but we most commonly used the word craic. Yoke. You see that poor painter, begging for scraps? Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on March 30, 2013: Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on March 28, 2013: Appreciate you dropping in! For example, Ah for fu*k sake. Had no idea those words were common in Australia. It's a term that is used to describe the good vibes and atmosphere of a party, night out, or gathering. Hope this helps! For example, That car needs a good clean. He does be flying around the garden like hes possessed.. Hopefully you will get to visit us over this neck of the woods and have a head start in the speech! No worries. 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). For example, Ah well! How-to-crafts from Ireland on July 03, 2012: A great selection of slang words we use in our daily conversations here in Dublin. This Irish expression gets more than its fair share of use and isnt specific to any particular county. Irish English. LOL. 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. See, if someone's crazy, they're a nutter. You could actually use lash here as well, for example, Give me a lash of that. 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. 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? For example, The hostel were staying in as a kip and a half!. 10 Irish Slang Phrases You'll Definitely Hear While There - TheTravel Banjaxed - Not working or broken. Can also be "I will yeah" or "Oh I will"it's all in the tone. Wise up Mon well . Do you know these British insults, slangs and phrases? Drain da snake : - To take a leak. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on November 19, 2013: Hahaha that was gas! Do you know these British insults, slangs and phrases? Irishmen and women, with shamrock and four-clover leaves, are fans of good luck. In a nutshell, give it a lash means to give something a go. Its used to describe something (or someone) thats not working/broken. Stems from the more common English term crack. Glad you enjoyed this you may enjoy the humour in my other Irish hub, so you want to be Irish !! 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. 'Mate'- used when conversing with any human being at all, whether you like them or not; it is totally appropriate to use this term even if you don't know them. Weather type: Light rain. In the guide below, you'll find LOOOOOOOADS of Irish insults and Irish curse words (or 'cuss words', for ye Americans). May her lakes and rivers bless you. And whatever end of Paddy's Day you're on, it's always a good time to test them out. You'll often hear Irish people refer to a person or a situation as 'Gas'. I also lived in 3 continents from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. So, weirdly enough, since we first published this guide in early 2019, the most common email weve had off the back of it is from people looks for words and Irish slang for girl. Glad you found hilarious! Hes a sound lad. The Best Northern Irish Slang Words and Phrases Translated "Intill Slinte! 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. This was one of the most enjoyable posts that Ive written in a while. Their accent didn't help one bit - especially after a few drinks. Fair play is an Irish expression used to congratulate someone. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. 19. But no need to get too intellectual! You're ready to book the Ireland trip of your dreams and talk like a local. Common Irish Phrases. Havent seen you in about ten years. Your man that I bought the car off is a serious Gombeen. Mor ya, you dont have a brother, Eddie! Now is widely used to refer to all women of similar ages and not just girlfriends. 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. You can also use this word to describe something thats bad. Jeff Berndt from Southeast Michigan on April 24, 2013: Great stuff! theyre not doing what theyre supposed to be doing. It is my storeen. It refers to a young Irish girl, or a lass, in Scottish tongues. Lets watch? Tenterhooks are hooks used to fasten cloth, either on a wall or a frame, for drying. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. For example,The car wont start. neck: [noun] the part of an animal that connects the head with the body. I can't wait to use some of these ^_^. Thanks so much! The word crack came from the Middle English term crak, meaning loud, bragging conversation. Think you know your Irish slang? Find thanks to a new book Yoke - A word used instead of saying "thing". But be wary if a stranger addresses you with this term at the middle of the night. Translation: Face. Over the years the word changed so it was simply 'mot', which became used by lower class Dubliners. 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. Savage, man, I thought they were sold out.