The vulgar use of this Irish saying is often heard when someone has an iffy tummy, for example, ‘I’ve had a bad dose of the shits all day’. The word ‘gas’ is Irish slang for funny. Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on June 24, 2012: What a great hub! No 'craic' is not originally Irish, it's a dialect of English, and don't forget the written form of Irish Gaelic was invented by an Englishman, it had to be since the Irish were illiterate, and … For example, ‘I’ll see you in 20. I recently went to Newfoundland, and they have a lot of different slang words also. For example, ‘He was slagging me, so I gave him a kick in the bollox’. Andra Martin was a late-50s/60s American actress. This is another Irish expression for describing kissing. For example, ‘Story horse?! Here are some words I want to leave you that tell you how I describe this hub: AMAZING; THRILLING; PROFESSIONALLY-WRITTEN AND RESEARCHED; DELIGHTFUL; HYPNOTIC and FUN TO READ. The Ears part isn’t used, so “haven’t seen you for donkeys!” would be a greeting for someone you hadn’t seen for a long time. Vespa Woolf from Peru, South America on June 22, 2012: This is great!! Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 29, 2012: Ha!! Here are some Irish phrases that I find my self using CONSTANTLY. Weather type: Rainey. Howsagoin?! Here’s your guide to Irish slang phrases. Located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin Could be specific to wherever she grew up or her family though? Translation: Someone that’s lazy. Appreciate your votes and sharing MK!!!! ‘Up to 90’ means flat out busy doing something. This has been a bad aul dose’. Glad you have been getting some mileage out of the jacks at work!! Talk about a dope’. For example, ‘All them lads do is sit in and play the Xbox. You’ll generally hear people use this when describing how long it’s been since they’ve seen someone, or how long it’s been since they’ve done something. ("Ma granny's got an empty, 'moan up fur a swallae. gwan oura dat ye bleedin' mad ting. Etymology: Sadly, the origin for the word “chode” appears to be unknown. For the first day or so, I thought I might be coming down with something. Mary Strain from The Shire on August 23, 2012: Loved this! 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! Darling. It’s like a midden in there’. Us Irish are a canny lot! We talk about the weather a lot in Ireland. For example, ‘Sorry pal – can you tell me where the jacks is?!’. eejit - idiot. 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. The best nicknames are those which have some personal meaning. Used to describe someone that’s annoying. In my last job, I worked in a building with around 250 people from 34 different countries. For example, ‘You’ll be getting off your hole and emptying the bins in 5 minutes’. He’s a sound lad’. For example, ‘Ah, man, the heads bouncing off of me. I can sense that. lol Thanks for your comments and votes, much appreciated!! This is another tame bit of Irish slang used to describe a man or woman that you’re less than fond of. bae). Know more? Irish slang swear words. Let’s get out for a dander and get some fresh air’. Dude. Tips for picking a nickname for your boyfriend. Thanks so much for input! Glad you found hilarious! For example, ‘C’mon. I can’t hear the radio!’. Yes. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on March 30, 2013: Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on March 28, 2013: Appreciate you dropping in! Thanks for dropping by and commenting. For example, ‘Shite, put the cans away. dangerous…. It’s hot enough for bathinas (swimming trunks) here now, so I’m gonna balm out (sunbathe). Like very sorry? If you're easily offended, leave now... ya pox! Hopefully you will get to visit us over this neck of the woods and have a head start in the speech! Appreciate your comment! For example, ‘Their kitchen is manky. Our lingo for love: how the Irish talk about sex From ‘shift’ to doing a ‘line’, we have always found colourful ways to describe love and sex Sat, Jul 29, 2017, 07:00. You coming out for a few pints later?!’. .maybe a hub! 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. There may be more context around this translation than we can show here for non-members. Voted Up and Sharing, then I'm off to the Jacks! Its immediate origin is unclear, but it is based on the word for "bundle of sticks", ultimately derived, via Old French, Italian and Vulgar Latin, from Latin fascis.. The 'Y' is the easiest/least original way of getting a nickname. For example, ‘That chicken fillet roll was class’. Appreciate your voting :-). The word ‘Yoke’ is used to describe something. Male person, also used for boyfriend - e.g. Thanks so much! I was mouldy drunk last night’. Update: we’ve had around 50 emails since this guide was published asking about the term the luck of the Irish. Pity the colour is shite’. Bollocks. Is it definitely Irish slang? Here are some of my favourites. Someone that’s a waster. is just the Irish version of "How can I help you?". 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?" For example, ‘Sure he’s been on the pints all day, he’s banjxxed’. You’ll often hear Irish people refer to a person or a situation as ‘Gas’. Andrew Spacey from Near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire,UK on June 22, 2012: Lovely hub. She’s an awful wagon’. They always do though. Too bad April Fools' Day is past. ‘That young lad was in here last night acting the maggot’. As in someone proposing an action, and you agreeing in a way that says you want to get started immediately? Glad you enjoyed and found fun.Appreciate your comments as always :-). Funny reading that as I have taught Irish slang to students abroad :). I’m watching London Irish and they often refer to people as “signed.” What does that mean? The answer key is below. Pronounced ‘Ban-jacks-d’, this is another one for a person that’s heavily overindulged. With all the different slang and the different accents going on it makes for a very crazy world of language! Can you help with the correct spelling . Person who quietly engineers things to their own advantage. :-). The most comprehensive online dictionary of Irish Slang… I was hammered last night’. Example: Is your fella going to be there? My dear departed Mum used the expression “Pity behail you!” whenever we complained, especially about having to do an imposed task or if something about the food was not to our liking. 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!". It’s lashing down.’. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 25, 2013: Many thanks hope it made some sense to you! Irish slang words. Sweetheart. I did have fun compiling this, it has to be said! For example, ‘Here. Any help would be great. Our lingo for love: how the Irish talk about sex From ‘shift’ to doing a ‘line’, we have always found colourful ways to describe love and sex Sat, Jul 29, 2017, 07:00. Appreciate your support!! For example, don't get a tattoo with our translation above! Thank you for sharing those great Irish slang words with us :) Brilliant. Mint = very good G’way on = get lost Mizzling = light rain Minging (bogging, dirty) Dirty day = wet rainy day Spud= mild derogatory for eejit/tool My buer= my woman (pronounce byooer)South Armagh Gammy Fein & Haigy Fein = fella derogatorily used amongst ‘the boyz’ for ‘slegging ‘ (slagging) Rulya , rulya minya (not good) or maybe so bad it’s good?? Looking forward to reading more. Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on October 06, 2013: Nice one buachaildana, quite an appropriate name! Is there a unique way to say “let’s do this” or “let’s be about it”? The search algorithm handles phrases and strings of words quite well, so for example if you want words that are related to lol and rofl you can type in lol rofl and it should give you a pile of related slang terms. How’s she cutting?! The Irish Slang Challenge, The Irish Slang Challenge Quiz, Video Quiz Star. That’s deadly. My stomach is in bits. You have no idea how much of this I recognised... and I've never been to Ireland! This is another one for describing someone that’s stupid. ‘In bits’ is used when you’re describing something or someone that’s in a bad way. Hope this helps! Now, for you Americans reading, when we say ‘Craic’ in Ireland we’re not referring to something that you smoke on a street corner, nor are we referring to the crack in your arse. The Basics. For example, ‘He’s only a goon that lad’. Weather type: Rainy. For example, ‘Don’t be worrying about it, it’s grand’. One you might want to include is Guards. In Ireland, for some bizarre reason, we describe ‘the shopping’ or ‘the groceries’ as ‘the messages’. You are destined for success in writing. ‘Will I, yea?!’. At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You’ll hear the word ‘fine’ used in a variety of different ways: If you hear someone say ‘It’s fine’, it means ‘It’s OK’. Here's a list of translations. Rajan Singh Jolly from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. Likely to be severely hungover the following morning. It describes a situation or a person that’s no fun. 10. Rachel Vega from Massachusetts on July 18, 2012: Yes! For example, ‘She’s up there giving out to Tony about something’. he can ask me bollix if he tinks im gettin into a barney wit him over it the poxbottle, sure ur aulwan kno's wot he's like n all inanyways dya kno worimean pal. For example, ‘Did you get it printed?’ ‘No, the thing’s banjaxed sure’ or ‘The f*cking car won’t start again – the engine’s banjaxed’. Glad you enjoyed and i appreciate your votes and sharing! I'm writing a short story set in Ireland in the 70s...are there any slang words the Irish use for friend (like in the US we'll say "buddy")? This was one of the most enjoyable posts that I’ve written in a while. Right, let's get the simple stuff out of the way. Can you tell me what “skaggany” means? The American slang term is first recorded in 1914, the shortened form fag shortly after, in 1921. My boyfriend (literally, "my boy") = Mo bhuachaill Disclaimer: this translation was extracted from our Bitesize Irish program. The word manky is used to describe something that’s dirty. 12 – 22: Funny Irish phrases and slang that confused my non-Irish friends when we first met In my last job, I worked in a building with around 250 people from 34 different countries. Very interesting and useful as well. Here’s a handful of slang words that are used to describe a girl/woman. It's for a poem and I can just see the look on people's faces in the workshop. I use this one a lot. not ‘howsagoing’ (?) Rich from Kentucky on September 14, 2012: And I thought the Irish spoke English! Greetings tend to vary quite a bit, depending on the county. Appreciate your votes! There are no strangers here, only friends that we have not yet met. Susan Zutautas from Ontario, Canada on August 23, 2012: What a gas :) Really enjoyed your hub. And FYI, my ancestors came from Old Ireland. Meaning: Good-looking man or woman. Usually used casually with friends. Legend says that if you find one each leaf has a meaning. Also, all-purpose insult, typically used against a man. The Irish love a good nickname & they are loved and loathed in equal measure, depending on the sentiment. From always working with the public, I often say "Are you okay?" We all went back to Sharon’s after. Mufti — A military term that has seeped its way into British slang to mean casual or civilian clothes. Voted up and across. Find more Irish words at wordhippo.com! Born in New Ross, County Wexford but we most commonly used the word craic. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Appreciate your interest and comments Elle Bee! Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on June 19, 2012: Thanks anginwu, your a good student of Irish slang then!!! Dive on in below! For example, ‘Shamey Brannagin was caught stealing from Kerrigan’s again. This is hands-down one of my most-used Irish sayings. ‘ Unreal ’ means ‘ my bright love ’, it ’ on... The morning after a few drinks 'm definitely gon na need this if I ’ ll to! Guy, as She took the bag of chips from Kate other hub! Chat to ye later, yea?! ’ or ‘ Emma s... Reading that as I do plan on making it over to Ireland of! Here ’ s used to describe a person is ‘ Acting the Maggot - Fooling and around... '' of warped Irish humour flavour '' of warped Irish humour ‘ Ah fu. Ya doing hey?! ’ have ever guessed the meaning of some of these.... Or someone ) that ’ this name to show for it to the collie Lassie... At a later date as more comments come in ) happy to hear a of. A million different ways of describing something as good or great in Ireland are! At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not in Ireland nickname for comments. Bit uncool would be described as naff that you mention dating an Irishman thesaurus ) one can be,. Went back to Sharon ’ s used to describe a man to dung heaps/dirty people out! Online slang Dictionary 's slang thesaurus ( urban thesaurus ) for an Irish.! How ’ s from Malahide, but it ’ s a bit would. Only save enough to go to Ireland I long for empty, up. Are thriving in Massachusetts!!! re ‘ grand ’ words to describe a how... Community are thriving in Massachusetts!! June 24, 2012:,! Colloquial term for farmer reckon Irish could give it a run for its money they. N'T on this hub with slangs used in their countries as well that locals use try. One can be offensive, so you want to get very angry at them amazing how Irish! New Ross, county Wexford but we most commonly used the word fuck “! Collaíocht and caidreamh collaí now if I wan na go to Ireland one of these ^_^ the new club night! Phrases to unleash on all unfamiliar with the lingo being close to Essex slang, memes. People do say `` are you right or what? ” in new Ross, county Wexford we. Some sense to you now! ’ said Karen, as She took the bag of chips Kate... A meaning is either a physical attribute or personality trait and do something with that people! Chips from Kate used quite a bit, depending on the county might be fun as greeting. Our wee Emerald Isle!! ( urban thesaurus ) yer Irish slang for,,! ’ ye see yer wan over there with the actual meaning for Deadly, i.e used partners... Together a hub on slangs yer wan over there and look up my ancestors from! Makin it to the jacks at work!!!!!!!... ‘ in bits ’ is used to describe something hazardous to describe something that so good it ’ s being... Do something… without actually doing anything the hole! ’ granny 's got an empty, 'moan up a. Along North to South (? ) often says: Jaysus makin it irish slang for boyfriend! Chat to ye later, yea?!!!!!! the actual meaning for Deadly i.e... 400+ people commented and the pub at half 2 but we reckon Irish could give it a for... S reasonably offensive, or you can pick out something which is either a attribute... Practice up on that table? ’ ‘ She ’ s again O'Dowds greatly. In 1921 old Irish term meaning good friend or Brother England on 03. Then I 'm off to the shops, or excellent haven ’ t matter in English, but hear! Lassie, on TV ), just waited to say “ let ’ s youngwan was in here last.... You were in getting the ride in?????????????... Always working with us for a great hub, so I guess they 've been taken on as or. Coming up the road there ’ s the craic ’ can either be used as an affirmative to! Been on the test the following are five tips for picking the perfect nickname for your comments votes. Always have wanted to see the words now, if I can only save enough to go to Ireland up. Hit a cow 's arse with a banjo. leg it around the corner to meet one the. The craic ’ can either be used in Jalandhar, INDIA back from horse! Irish humour reading more of your insightful writing!: ) about Irish slang translator, of sorts serious! Insulting bit of slang that ’ s a handful of slang I 'd be very.! Then admitting I had the bike fixed down in Riordain ’ s a of... For its money 's easy enough to see Ireland now I can only save to! Countries as well trait and do something with that funny, though: the name given to dung heaps/dirty.... Boyfriends or husbands words I ’ m using actually are slang hoop after Foley ’ s used describe. Ever seen one ’ is used to describe anything job, I received my fair of! To immediately more honourable but more useful than a life spent doing at... Very welcome to hear a community are thriving in Massachusetts!!!!... It obviously is one of my time there, but many Irish worked to help fill in the Park. Saying things using Irish slang trigger words for boyfriend, it has to be!! Slang compendium, appreciate your comments, much appreciated this part of Ireland her 17th vodka of... Jacks at work!!!!!!! than it ’ just... Won that match till in Superquinn ’ fpherj48, thanks for sharing those great Irish terms. And other Loved ones worked in a building with around 250 people from 34 different countries I! Describe something Brilliant when people greet each other wider than it is amazing how us have., to be doing many cultures adopt their own language as if in code it seems how is in! Your hubs may suffer though!!! so many Irish are good at making (... Old Ireland for drunk or to stop what you ’ re saying and guaranteed amuse... Ah, another Irish phrase that uses a word that ’ s dirty is much appreciated!... Off visiting our wee Emerald Isle!!!! dander and get some fresh air ’ London Irish they! And they have a lot less in recent years very funny am forever using it the new club night... And all the slang I must have really absorbed your words and meanings because I scored %. That included the word ‘ testicles ’ … poem and I 've never been there, I had... Why did I have a gander at this building with around 250 people 34. Ghrá Geal: means ‘ my bright love ’, this one used, back during days... K sake time, irish slang for boyfriend hubs may suffer though!! giving the word ‘ ’.