Tourists arriving in Ireland, especially for the first time, are going to get a healthy dose of the Irish English language. The Irish do speak English but you could listen to someone speak for an hour and not understand a word of it. It takes some getting used to, especially for Americans. American English is even quite different from British English, so Irish English can really throw you off. If you should happen to meet someone with a thick Irish brogue, feel free to nod and smile, because that is the most difficult Irish English to understand. Here is a brief lesson in understanding some of their vocabulary and some Irish slang.
FoodRashers = bacon Bangers = sausages Cuppa = cup of tea Kebab = sausage sandwich similar to a hot dog Chips = french fries Crisps = potato chips Tomato Sauce = ketchup Lolly = ice cream cone Sucker = lollypop Sweets = candy Tart = pie Cakes or Fairy Cakes = individual size cupcakes Prawns = shrimp Brecki = breakfast Pint = pint of Guinness Pint of another choice = you must say the name of your choice Slainte = toast to your good health
GreetingsHi ye, How's it goin', How are ye, How's she cuttin' = hello
DirectionsKilometers = miles (they also say miles but I still don't know if they mean miles or kilometers) Roundabout = traffic circle Country Lane = back road Petrol = gasoline (which they sell by the liter and it's more expensive there).
Having FunCrack = fun Great Crack = tremendously enjoyable Gas = hilarious Gas Man = a sarcastic comment to someone who said or did something incredibly stupid Actin' the Maggot or Messin' = someone picking on another to get a laugh Slaggin' = two evenly matched opponents good naturedly chiding each other Havin' the Life of Reilly = the only person having a great time Disco = still used for a dance hall (previously used was Pally) Jive = fast dance like rock'n roll
Describing PeopleFellas = males Wans = females Mot or Aul' Doll =girlfriend A Fine Half = a good-looking person of the opposite sex Cluchie or Muck Savage = term of endearment from townspeople to country folk Jackeens = Dubliners Lawdy Daw or Hoity Toity = someone with a posh ego De Aul' Fella = an affectionate name for a father from his children Eejits or Gobshites = idiots
Let's TalkIrish people are known to talk a lot. To Blather or Rabbit = someone who talks on and on at length To Talk Ninety = someone who talks so fast you can't understand them Talkin' Shite = someone who doesn't have a clue what he's talking about (the word Blarney is not in common usage) Brilliant = something that is wonderful Lovely = something very nice
Other Miscellaneous Phrases: Aye = yes Washing up liquid = Dish detergent To hoover = To vacuum the carpet Wayward children are never naughty = they are bold To be banjaxed or knackered = To be tired or broken down To put it on the long finger = To procrastinate or delay something A kip = A substandard dwelling If someone is annoying you they are blaggarding whisht!! = Shhhhh or Shush!! A scratcher = a bed The jacks = a toilet A fag = a cigarette To emphasize something the word fierce is often used. Quare or Awful = can also be used to denote emphasis To do it fairly lively = To accomplish something quickly = Car Park = parking lot Shops = stores and boutiques Shenanigans = intrigue, trickery or hidden maneuvers designed to effect a certain outcome.
Words and phrases that should never be uttered in Ireland:'Typically Irish'; 'Bedad and Begorrah'; 'Top o' the Mornin'; 'Me Darlin'; and calling a woman a 'fine colleen' is likely to get you a kick in the shins. The Irish don't name their female babies either Shannon or Colleen, which is an American custom. Shannon is the name of a river and colleen means girl.
Irish BlessingsThere are dozens of Irish blessings, but you will lucky to hear them just once. Of course, the most famous one is:
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