While English is spoken in many places around the globe, the way we use it varies dramatically. Ireland is no exception! Here’s a list of some delightful Irish slang expressions you might catch while wandering the Emerald Isle. Keep in mind, the slang can vary by region, but these terms are widely recognized. Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or just looking to impress your friends, give these a go! Just a tip from an Irish gal: avoid calling folks “eejits” in Dublin, or you might find yourself in a spot of bother.
Craic
Meaning: Fun, good times, or banter.
Example: “He’s a great bit of craic altogether!” / “Going to the party on Friday? Should be good craic!”
Eejit
Meaning: A fool or idiot, often used affectionately.
Example: “He’s some eejit!”
Gobshite
Meaning: An idiot or someone who talks nonsense (gob + shite).
Example: “Don’t listen to that gobshite.”
Jacks/Bog/Loo
Meaning: The restroom or toilet.
Example: “I’m off to the jacks!” / “Have we any bog roll left?”
Donkey’s Years/Yonks
Meaning: A long time.
Example: “She worked there for donkey’s years.” / “I haven’t seen you in yonks!”
Bleedin’
Meaning: Used similarly to ‘bloody’ in British English or ‘damn’ in American.
Example: “Get out of the bleedin’ car!”
Give Out
Meaning: To complain or reprimand.
Example: “The teacher gave out to him for forgetting his homework.” / “What are you giving out about now?”
Feck
Meaning: A softer version of the F-word.
Example: “Would ya feck off and stop annoying me?”
Mitch/On The Hop
Meaning: To skip school.
Example: “She got detention for mitching.” / “I nearly flunked my Leaving Cert ’cause I was always on the hop.”
Shift/Meet
Meaning: To kiss.
Example: “They were shifting behind the school.” / “Will ya meet my mate?”
Ossified/Locked/Hammered/Legless/Langers
Meaning: Very drunk.
Example: “I was absolutely ossified last night…”
Banjaxed
Meaning: Broken or beyond repair.
Example: “My car is completely banjaxed.”
State
Meaning: The poor condition of something.
Example: “The state of my car, it’s a disgrace!”
Ye/Yous/Yiz
Meaning: Plural for ‘you’; ‘ye’ is more common outside Dublin, while ‘yous’ or ‘yiz’ is found in Dublin.
Example: “Did ye see the latest episode?” / “Are yous going to the match?” / “Where are yiz off to?”
Doss
Meaning: To slack off or somewhere you can relax.
Example: “She’s always dossing.” / “That class was such a doss.”
Acting The Maggot
Meaning: Acting foolishly.
Example: “Stop acting the maggot and pose for the picture.”
Oul One/Oul Fella
Meaning: An older woman or man; can refer to one’s parents.
Example: “Me oul one will kill me!” / “That’s the oul fella down the road.”
Young One/Young Fella
Meaning: A younger girl or boy, typically between pre-teen and college age.
Example: “Stay away from that young one.” / “Her young fella is off to college soon.”
Your Man/Your One
Meaning: Any man or woman.
Example: “Your man can’t drive, just look at him!” / “Is that your one from the telly?”
Thick
Meaning: Angry or foolish.
Example: “She’s still thick about it.” / “Your man is some eejit—thick as a plank!”
Gammy
Meaning: Injured or odd-looking.
Example: “He’s got a gammy knee after that match.”
Holy Show
Meaning: An embarrassing situation.
Example: “She made a holy show of herself.”
Gas
Meaning: Hilarious or impressive.
Example: “He’s a real gas ticket.”
Earwigging
Meaning: Eavesdropping.
Example: “Were you earwiggin’ again?”
Scarlet
Meaning: Deeply embarrassed.
Example: “I really put my foot in it; I was scarlet.”
Kip
Meaning: A nap or a rundown place.
Example: “I had a decent kip last night.” / “That hotel was a kip.”
Throw Shapes
Meaning: To dance energetically.
Example: “You were throwin’ some shapes on the dance floor last night.”
Knackered/Wrecked/Shattered
Meaning: Exhausted.
Example: “I’m off to bed; I’m absolutely knackered.”
All Over The Shop
Meaning: Disorganized or chaotic.
Example: “After getting my wisdom teeth out, I was all over the shop.”
Cat
Meaning: Rubbish or nonsense.
Example: “The festival was pure cat; it rained the whole time.”
Delira
Meaning: Dublin slang for delighted.
Example: “It only cost me a fiver; I was delira!”
In A Heap
Meaning: In a state of disarray.
Example: “I promised I wouldn’t drink again; I was in a heap after last time.”
Hape
Meaning: A large amount.
Example: “There’s a hape of people in there.”
Cod/Mess
Meaning: To joke around.
Example: “I’m only messin’ with ya.” / “I’m just coddin’ ya.”
Like Mad
Meaning: Excessively or frequently.
Example: “She drinks like mad when she goes out.”
Effin’ and Blindin’
Meaning: To use foul language.
Example: “You should’ve heard him; he was effin’ and blindin’ like mad!”
Bogger/Culchie
Meaning: A person from the countryside; in Dublin, anyone from outside the city.
Example: “Town is full of boggers/culchies for the GAA match.”
Jackeen
Meaning: A Dublin person, sometimes with a negative connotation.
Example: “Those Jackeens think they’re the best.”
For more insights into Irish culture and language, check out our other blog post on home insemination kits. If you’re interested in learning about the home insemination process, Healthline provides excellent resources to guide you through the journey. For a reliable source on artificial insemination, visit Make A Mom to explore their options.
In summary, Irish slang adds a delightful twist to everyday conversation, reflecting the culture’s unique charm and humor. From “craic” to “gobshite,” these expressions are sure to spice up your interactions and bring a smile to your face.
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