Irish lingo

By Lisa Roulston
Courier Staff

Below is a list of commonly used words and phrases which we would use daily; just incase one day you travel to Ireland and don’t understand what is being said, here are some explanations to help you understand the Irish lingo.             

What about ye?         How are you?

What’s the craic?          How is it going with you?

Any banter?         Have you any news?

Catch yourself on!     Wise up!

Dead on!         Great or ok

What are ye on about?     What are you talking about?

Grand, Smashing    Great

Sound             Describes someone (.g. he’s sound,                                     i.e. he’s a nice guy}

Do you think I came     Do you think I was born yesterday?

up the Lagan in a bubble?

He/she/that/this does     You can’t stand it any longer. It is         my head in             driving you up the wall.

Scunnered        Fed up

Knackered        Tire

Bunged            Packed

Steady on         Behave yourself

You’re an Eejit         You’re funny

Minger            Ugly person

Talent            Attractive people

Snog            Kiss

Aye            Yes

Bake, Gub        Mouth

Bog            Restroom

Wee            Small

Boot             Trunk

Sweets/sweeties        Candy

Crisps            Chips

Rubber            Eraser

8 Ways to say you are drunk:

Plastered         Full        Hammered

Blocked            Rat-arsed    Steamin    Half cut        Pissed        

So, if you find yourself in a conversation with and Irishman and they use one of these slang words and you are still completely lost, when in doubt just smile and nod.

Cheerio! (That means good-bye!)