Here’s a guide to some of the most popular Irish slang words and phrases:
1. Craic (pronounced "crack")
Meaning: Fun, good times, or gossip.
Usage: “What’s the craic?” (What’s going on? / How are things?)
Example: “We had great craic at the party last night!”
2. Grand
Meaning: Fine, good, or okay.
Usage: “How are you?” “Ah, grand.” (I’m fine.)
Example: “It’s grand, don’t worry about it.”
3. Eejit
Meaning: Idiot or fool (but often used affectionately).
Usage: “Don’t mind him, he’s just an eejit.”
Example: “You left the keys in the door again, you eejit!”
4. Feck
Meaning: A softer version of the F-word, often used for emphasis or mild annoyance.
Usage: “Feck off!” (Go away!)
Example: “Where’s the fecking remote?”
5. Gaff
Meaning: House or home.
Usage: “Are we heading back to your gaff?”
Example: “I’m having a party at my gaff tonight.”
6. Banjaxed
Meaning: Broken or ruined.
Usage: “My car is banjaxed.”
Example: “The washing machine is completely banjaxed.”
7. Slag
Meaning: To tease or make fun of someone.
Usage: “Ah, we’re only slagging you.”
Example: “He’s always slagging me about my haircut.”
8. C’mere
Meaning: Come here, but often used to start a conversation or get someone's attention.
Usage: “C’mere, did you hear about what happened yesterday?”
Example: “C’mere, I have a great story to tell you.”
9. Gobshite
Meaning: A foolish or obnoxious person.
Usage: “He’s such a gobshite.”
Example: “Don’t be acting like a gobshite.”
10. Deadly
Meaning: Brilliant, excellent, or cool.
Usage: “That new song is deadly!”
Example: “Your outfit is deadly, I love it.”
11. Jammers
Meaning: Packed or very busy.
Usage: “The pub was jammers last night.”
Example: “The train is jammers during rush hour.”
12. Gas
Meaning: Funny or hilarious.
Usage: “He’s so gas, always telling jokes.”
Example: “That story you told was gas!”
13. Yoke
Meaning: Thing, object, or contraption (used when the name of something is forgotten).
Usage: “Pass me that yoke over there.”
Example: “What’s that yoke for?”
14. Langered
Meaning: Very drunk.
Usage: “He was completely langered last night.”
Example: “We had a few too many and ended up langered.”
15. Knackered
Meaning: Exhausted or very tired.
Usage: “I’m knackered after that long walk.”
Example: “I didn’t sleep much, I’m absolutely knackered.”
16. Chancer
Meaning: Someone who pushes their luck or takes risks.
Usage: “He’s a bit of a chancer, always trying to get something for nothing.”
Example: “You’re such a chancer, trying to skip the queue!”
17. Fluthered
Meaning: Very drunk.
Usage: “He was absolutely fluthered at the party.”
Example: “We went to the pub and got fluthered.”
18. Bold
Meaning: Naughty or misbehaving (often used with children).
Usage: “You’re being very bold today.”
Example: “If you keep being bold, you won’t get any sweets.”
19. Gowl
Meaning: An annoying or unpleasant person.
Usage: “He’s such a gowl, always causing trouble.”
Example: “Don’t mind him, he’s acting like a right gowl.”
20. Shite
Meaning: A milder version of the word “shit,” used for emphasis or annoyance.
Usage: “That’s a load of shite.”
Example: “What a shite day, it’s been raining all day.”
21. Culchie
Meaning: A person from the countryside (used by city people, particularly in Dublin).
Usage: “He’s a proper culchie from Mayo.”
Example: “They’re a bunch of culchies with their tractors.”
22. Scundered
Meaning: Embarrassed or ashamed.
Usage: “I was scundered when I tripped in front of everyone.”
Example: “You’d be scundered if you showed up in that outfit.”
23. Shift
Meaning: To kiss or make out with someone.
Usage: “Did you get the shift last night?”
Example: “He shifted her at the party.”
24. Ossified
Meaning: Very drunk.
Usage: “He was completely ossified by the end of the night.”
Example: “We got ossified after a few too many pints.”
25. Manky
Meaning: Dirty, gross, or disgusting.
Usage: “That sandwich looks manky.”
Example: “Your shoes are manky, clean them up.”
26. Ride
Meaning: An attractive person.
Usage: “She’s a bit of a ride.”
Example: “He’s a total ride, isn’t he?”
27. Savage
Meaning: Awesome, brilliant, or fierce.
Usage: “That gig was savage.”
Example: “You’re savage at football!”
28. Begrudger
Meaning: Someone who resents another person’s success or happiness.
Usage: “Don’t be such a begrudger, be happy for them.”
Example: “He’s always begrudging other people’s success.”
Conclusion
Irish slang is lively, colorful, and reflective of Ireland’s unique sense of humor and culture. Many of these words and phrases are widely used in everyday conversations across the country, and knowing them can help you better understand and enjoy Irish social interactions!
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